HOUSTON — Before Game 7 of the American League Championship Series with the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers, three beloved Houstonians will take the field.
Up first, legendary gospel singer and multi-platinum artist Yolanda Adams will perform the national anthem. The "Queen of Contemporary Gospel Music" has won four Grammys, four Dove Awards, five BET Awards, six NAACP Image Awards and many others. Adams, a Houston native, has sold more than 10 million albums worldwide making her one of the best-selling gospel artists of all time.
Astros Hall-of-Famer Jeff Bagwell will take the mound to throw out the ceremonial first pitch. After 15 seasons with the Astros, Bagwell was inducted into the HOF in 2017. He earned the trust of owner Jim Crane and was named the team's senior advisor to baseball operations in April.
Another Houston sports legend will also be on the field before the 7:03 p.m. start time. Andre Johnson, one of the greatest players in Houston Texans history will give the "play ball" call. Johnson played 12 seasons for the Texans and he remains the all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards, receiving touchdowns and 100-yard games. Johnson has been a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame for the last two years.
Who is pitching for the Astros, Rangers in Game 7?
Cristian Javier, the Game 3 winner when the defending World Series champion Astros won 8-5, will pitch again for Houston. The 26-year-old right-hander is 6-1 with a 2.08 ERA in 16 postseason games, winning all four of his starts. He has allowed only five hits and two runs over 22 innings in those four starts, including game 3 in Arlington.
Max Scherzer, the losing pitcher in Game 3, will be on the mound for the Rangers. The three-time Cy Young Award winner gave up five runs and five hits in four innings. In 2019, Scherzer started Game 7 of the World Series for Washington as the Nationals beat the Astros at Minute Maid Park.
Just after 3:30 p.m. we learned that Bryan Abreu's two-game suspension was upheld but it won't be served until the 2024 season, making him available for the 'Stros tonight. The MLB suspended and fined Abreu after he hit the Rangers' Adolis García with a pitch in Game 5. The Astros claim it wasn't intentional but the umpires and MLB thought otherwise.
The Rangers took Game 6 of the ALCS to avoid elimination Sunday night, winning 9-2 in Houston. Neither team has won a home game in this series.
Will the roof at Minute Maid be open for Game 7?
Just before 12:30 p.m., the Astros announced that the roof would be closed for Game 7. The roof has been closed at both the Juice Box and Globe Life Stadium for each game of the ALCS except for game 5 in Arlington.
If you're one of the lucky fans with Game 7 tickets, Street Fest starts at 4 p.m.