The Yordan Alvarez American League Most Valuable Player hype just keeps on getting bigger. Alvarez added to that again on Thursday, when he hit another home run, his 40th of the 2026 MLB season, during a matchup against the Kansas City Royals at Daikin Park in Houston.

The MLB playoff races look like they'll come right down to the wire, and Thursday features nine games, with several sure to have an impact on the final postseason field. The Thursday MLB schedule features games like Red Sox vs.

The Houston Astros offense, aside from Jeremy Peña, continued to struggle in loss to Royals and now the Rangers have caught the Astros for a tie atop the AL West.

Here's how to watch Astros vs. Royals, including first pitch, TV channel and live streaming options without cable.

The Houston Astros announced the demotion of a three-year MLB player ahead of Thursday's game against the Royals. The post Houston Astros Demote 3-Year MLB Player Before Royals Series Finale appeared first on HEAVY.

Kansas City Royals third base coach Vance Wilson, left, high-fives center fielder John Rave after the latter’s two-run home run against the Astros in the fourth inning of a game at Daikin Park in Houston on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026. Thomas Shea IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Astros face off with the Royals as Hunter Brown meets Michael Wacha.