Astros Have Every Right to Be Angry After Calling Out MLB for Late Start Time Thursday

After finishing up a four-game series with the Los Angeles Angels, the Astros had to quickly return home to start a three-game set with the Texas Rangers. While that doesn't sound so bad on the surface, it gets a lot worse when you consider that their game last night finished extremely late thanks to a 6:07 p.m. PT start.

With a realistic time of three to three and a half hours between Los Angeles and Houston, the Astros arrived home just after 5:00 a.m CT. With no day off and little time in between games, the Astros were rightfully furious.

Due to this passage in the MLB's Collective Bargaining Agreement that details the scheduling of games, allowing for specific amounts of travel time in between games, the 6:07 start time is technically allowable.

"For the 2018 championship season, the latest possible start time for getaway games on days when the visiting Club travels to a home off-day or either Club travels to another game the following day shall be determined by taking the portion of the in-flight time that exceeds 2 1/2 hours, and subtracting that amount of time from 7 P.M."

Regardless of this bylaw, the scheduling of this game never truly allowed the Astros to arrive home at a decent time or have a day off between games.

Astros outfielder Josh Reddick was one of a few players who cited their anger with the scheduling. "To censor myself, it’s B.S. I don’t think one person is happy about the night game travel. I think it’s a complete misjudgment on how they make a schedule. It’s absurd, really . . ." Reddick also shared he was one of many upset with the lack of time between games.

Reddick and the Astros have every right to angry about the short time between games. The 32 year-old outfielder did mention that hopefully the quick back-to-back games, coupled with the anger the team currently has, will give them a spark heading into their home series with the Rangers.