It’s the Houston Astros versus the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, OH on May 8, 2026. Here’s how to watch live on TV.
- Time: 6:10 PM ET
- Location: Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, OH
- TV Channels: MLB Network®, Space City Home Network, MLB Cincinnati Reds
- Streaming: Cincinnati Reds – MLB.TV, Houston Astros – MLB.TV
- League Package: MLB Extra Innings®
How to Watch Houston Astros vs. Cincinnati Reds on May 8, 2026
You can watch the Cincinnati Reds take on the Houston Astros live on Cincinnati Reds – MLB.TV channel 661 and the Houston Astros Space City Home Network channel 674 with DIRECTV, May 8, 2026 at 6:10 PM ET.
Houston Astros (15-23) at Cincinnati Reds (20-18) — Game Preview
Cincinnati needs a reset and Houston is the team that arrives banged up enough to give it. The Reds dropped five straight before this opener, including a brutal four-game sweep at Wrigley, and they sit at 20-18 looking for traction at home. Houston has been even worse lately at 15-23, with key bats and arms scattered across the IL. Mike Burrows (1-4, 5.97 ERA) gets the start for the Astros against Cincinnati’s Nick Lodolo, who is working back from the 15-day IL. Yordan Alvarez carries the visiting lineup at .319 with 12 home runs, while Elly De La Cruz already has 10 long balls and Sal Stewart leads the Reds with 30 RBI. Chase Burns and his 2.20 ERA loom over this series even when he isn’t pitching.
Regional Coverage
Space City Home Network, MLB Cincinnati Reds
National TV
MLB Network®
Streaming
Cincinnati Reds – MLB.TV, Houston Astros – MLB.TV
League Packages
What Time is the Cincinnati Reds vs. Houston Astros Game Today?
The Houston Astros vs. Cincinnati Reds game starts at 6:10 PM ET.
Where Can I Watch Houston Astros vs. Cincinnati Reds?
You can watch Houston Astros vs. Cincinnati Reds on Cincinnati Reds – MLB.TV, Houston Astros – MLB.TV, MLB Network®, your local regional sports network, Space City Home Network and MLB Cincinnati Reds.
Houston Astros Channel on DIRECTV
Space City Home Network (Channel 674)
Cincinnati Reds Channel on DIRECTV
MLB Cincinnati Reds (Channel 661)
Players to Watch: Houston Astros vs. Cincinnati Reds
Houston Astros
Yordan Alvarez — LF. Hitting .319 with 12 home runs, the leader in both categories for Houston. He is the offense right now and the Reds will need to be careful around him.
Christian Walker — 1B. Carries the Astros with 27 RBI and gives the lineup a second power threat behind Alvarez.
Cincinnati Reds
Elly De La Cruz — SS. Leading Cincinnati in both batting average (.265) and home runs (10), he is the kind of player who can swing a series on his own.
Sal Stewart — 1B. Drives the Reds with 30 RBI and has been the most consistent producer in the middle of the order.
Injury Report: Houston Astros vs. Cincinnati Reds
Houston Astros
Hunter Brown (SP) — 15-Day-IL
Carlos Correa (SS) — 10-Day-IL
Jeremy Pena (SS) — 10-Day-IL
Yainer Diaz (C) — 10-Day-IL
Joey Loperfido (LF) — 10-Day-IL
Josh Hader (RP) — 60-Day-IL
Cristian Javier (SP) — 60-Day-IL
Lance McCullers Jr. (SP) — Day-To-Day
Cincinnati Reds
Carson Spiers (SP) — Out
Caleb Ferguson (RP) — 15-Day-IL
Emilio Pagan (RP) — 15-Day-IL
Hunter Greene (SP) — 60-Day-IL
Brandon Williamson (SP) — 60-Day-IL
Rhett Lowder (SP) — Day-To-Day
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