Oct. 30, 2004, 12:25PM Chronicle news services The Houston Astros announced their schedule for the 2005 season today, which begins at Minute Maid Park for a fifth consecutive year, and at home in Houston for the 21st time in the last 24 years. The Astros open at home on Tuesday, April 5, at 6:05 p.m. vs. the National League Champion St. Louis Cardinals. The Astros lost to the Cardinals in the deciding Game 7 of the 2004 National League Championship Series. St. Louis will be in Houston for a two-game series from April 5-6, 2005, and the homestand continues with a three-game set vs. the Cincinnati Reds from April 8-10. Other notes: • The team plays a home series around Memorial Day vs. the Cincinnati Reds (May 30-June 1) and the Fourth of July vs. the San Diego Padres (July 4-7). • The home slate also includes two weekend series vs. the Cardinals (June 3-5, Sept. 2-4), a four-game weekend series vs. the San Francisco Giants (May 12-15), and two weekend series vs. the NL Central rival Chicago Cubs: a three-game series April 30-May 1, and a four-game series to close out the regular season, Sept. 29-Oct. 2. • Among the road trips is Houston’s first visit to Washington D.C. to face the Expos, July 22-24. • Houston’s Interleague slate will include the team’s first meeting with the Toronto Blue Jays in a three-game series at home from June 10-12. • The Blue Jays are the only team the Astros have not faced in the regular season in club history. • Houston also travels to Camden Yards for the first time, facing the Baltimore Orioles from June 13-15, followed by a three-game series at the Kansas City Royals (June 17-19). • The annual Lone Star Series with the Texas Rangers rounds out the Interleague schedule. The Astros travel to Arlington from May 20-22, and the Rangers head to Minute Maid Park June 25-27. • Astros regular-season weekday games at Minute Maid Park are scheduled to begin at 7:05 p.m., with the exception of Opening Day (April 5 at 6:05 p.m.), the second game of the season vs. St. Louis (4:05 p.m.), Memorial Day (May 30 at 1:05 p.m. vs. Cincinnati), Fourth of July (July 4 at 1:05 p.m. vs. San Diego), and the game starting at 1:05 p.m. (June 22 vs. Colorado). • Non-nationally televised Saturday home games are scheduled to begin at 6:05 p.m., while Sunday home games are set to start at 1:05 p.m. Schedule and times are subject to changes by Major League Baseball. Chron
The Astros are fortunate with their interleague schedule as they get the Orioles and Blue Jays from the East (no Yankees or Red Sox) and for some reason, the Royals for 3 games, as well as their usual 6 games against the Rangers. The last 10 games of the season are how it should be - Cubs and Cardinals. Plus, they play within the division the last 17 games. It was ridiculous that in a 6 team division, they played the Giants and Rockies 6 of the last 12 games.
I like it. I would prefer controlling my fate than having it be decided by mere scoreboard watching. If we take care of business then will be in. I love it knowing we play Cubs and Cards at least 6 times in the last month. I don't like the Bucks though.