The Astros lost 7-3 to the Rangers on July 12, 2025, as top prospect Brice Matthews debuted. Despite a Caratini homer, Houston's losing streak hits four.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Friday night at Minute Maid Park was a tale of two conflicting stories. On one hand, the future arrived in the form of top prospect Brice Matthews making his much-anticipated MLB debut. On the other, the present looked grim as the Astros dropped their fourth straight game, falling 7-3 to the division-rival Texas Rangers. It was a night that offered a glimpse of what's to come, while serving a harsh reminder of the team's current struggles.
In 73 games at Triple-A Sugar Land, Brice Matthews was hitting .283/.400/.476 with 10 home runs, 39 RBIs, and 25 stolen bases.
The game got away from the Astros early. Lance McCullers Jr. just didn't have it, lasting only three innings while giving up five runs on six hits. The Rangers jumped on him in the first with an Evan Carter two-run single, and the long ball did the rest of the damage. Adolis García and Wyatt Langford both went deep for Texas, with Langford having a monster night with four hits. The Astros' offense, meanwhile, couldn't string much together. A two-run homer from Victor Caratini in the fourth briefly cut the lead to 5-3 and gave the 40,233 fans in attendance a flicker of hope, but the rally stalled there. As for the debutant, Brice Matthews had a night he'll surely learn from, going 0-for-4 with three strikeouts while starting at second base. It's a tough introduction to big-league pitching, but it's just the first page in a long book.
Despite the rough night at the plate, the promotion of Brice Matthews is a major development for the organization. The 23-year-old infielder, drafted 28th overall in 2023, absolutely tore up Triple-A this season. His impressive slash line, combined with his power-speed combo, earned him a June Player of the Month award and a highlight-reel cycle back on May 10. The front office clearly believes he's ready, optioning Shay Whitcomb (who had just one hit in 19 at-bats) to make room. This call-up isn't just about filling a spot; it's a statement about the health of the Astros' farm system and a vote of confidence in a player they see as a core piece for years to come.
Four straight losses sting, especially against a rival. But let's take a deep breath. The Astros still sit atop the AL West with a 55-39 record. This is a slump, not a collapse. The key is stopping the bleeding before it gets worse, and they'll have the perfect opportunity on Saturday. The series continues with a marquee pitching matchup that has 'must-see TV' written all over it.
All eyes now turn to Saturday's showdown. It's a heavyweight bout on the mound as Framber Valdez (10-4, 2.90 ERA) takes on the formidable Jacob deGrom (9-2, 2.29 ERA). Can the Astros' ace play stopper and get the team back on track? Snapping the losing streak won't be easy, but a win against deGrom and the Rangers would be a massive momentum shifter.
