Where to Watch Astros vs Cardinals: TV Channel & Stream
Figuring out how to catch a specific interleague game like the Astros vs. Cardinals can feel like a maze of regional networks and streaming fine print. This guide cuts through the noise, laying out exactly which TV channel and live-streaming services carry the April 18 matchup at Daikin Park, which blackout rules might trip you up, and your best option whether you live in Houston, St. Louis, or somewhere in between.
Game: Houston Astros vs St. Louis Cardinals · Date: April 18, 2026 · Venue: Daikin Park · TV (Astros home): Space City Home Network
Quick snapshot
- Space City Home Network is the exclusive local TV home for the Houston Astros. Space City Home Network (official network page)
- Whether either team’s broadcast will be nationally exclusive on ESPN or Fox (not listed for this date). Space City Home Network (national broadcast policy)
- Exact pricing and free trial lengths as of 2026 are subject to change. (Space City Home Network (national broadcast policy))
- Availability of the game on Apple TV+ (only certain games selected). (Space City Home Network (national broadcast policy))
- The exact channel number for Space City Home Network varies by provider. (Space City Home Network (national broadcast policy))
- The game is confirmed for April 18, 2026 at Daikin Park. MLB.com (Houston Astros video page)
- Fans should check the official MLB schedule for future matchups and any late-breaking national broadcast announcements. MLB.com (Astros schedule)
The six key facts below line up the essentials: where the game is played, which local network carries it, and what additional coverage you can count on.
| Fact | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Game Date | April 18, 2026 | MLB.com (official video archive) |
| Venue | Daikin Park (Houston, TX) | MLB.com (official video archive) |
| Astros Home TV | Space City Home Network | Space City Home Network (official site) |
| National Broadcast | None listed for this date (check official schedule) | — |
| Live games carried by SCHN | 220+ per season | Space City Home Network (homepage) |
| SCHN coverage area | Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, eastern New Mexico | Space City Home Network (coverage info) |
Bottom line: The Astros’ local TV home is SCHN, but if you live outside that five-state territory, you’ll need an out-of-market option. National exclusivity hasn’t been announced for this date — so right now the game is likely local-only.
Where can I watch the Cardinals Astros game?
Game Details and Broadcasters
- The game takes place April 18, 2026 at Daikin Park with first pitch at 7:10 p.m. ET. MLB.com (Houston Astros video page)
- For viewers in the Astros’ home territory, the primary linear channel is Space City Home Network. Space City Home Network (official site)
- Cardinals home broadcasts are produced by Bally Sports Midwest and streamed via Cardinals.TV, but since this game is in Houston, the Cardinals’ local network does not apply. Instead, the visiting broadcast feed is typically carried by the home team’s RSN for out-of-market viewers on MLB.TV.
Streaming Options for In-Market and Out-of-Market
- In-market (Astros territory): Stream through any cable or satellite login on the Space City Home Network app, or subscribe to a live TV service that carries SCHN (e.g., Fubo, DirecTV Stream). No source available for specific carriers — check with your provider.
- In-market (Cardinals territory): Since the game is in Houston, Cardinals.TV will not carry it; in-market St. Louis viewers would need an out-of-market package.
- Out-of-market: MLB.TV offers every live out-of-market game for a subscription fee. Note: MLB.TV blacks out in-market viewers, so anyone inside the Astros’ regional territory cannot watch via MLB.TV. Space City Home Network (blackout explanation)
Bottom line: If you live in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, or eastern New Mexico, your only legal in-market stream comes via Space City Home Network. Out-of-market fans can subscribe to MLB.TV — but first confirm you are not in the blackout zone.
Space City Home Network’s territory is dictated by MLB, not by the network itself. Even if you live just over the state line in New Mexico, you may still be blacked out on MLB.TV if you fall inside the five-state zone.
The implication: verify your ZIP code using MLB’s blackout tool before committing to a streaming service.
What TV station is the Houston Astros on?
Space City Home Network (SCHN)
- Space City Home Network is the television home of the Houston Astros and carries more than 220 live games each season. Space City Home Network (official site)
- It is available on cable, satellite, and OTT providers in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and eastern New Mexico. Space City Home Network (coverage)
- To find your local channel number, visit the SCHN channel finder or your provider’s guide.
Bally Sports Midwest (for Cardinals games)
- Cardinals home games air on Bally Sports Midwest and are streamed via Cardinals.TV on the MLB App. However, this only applies to Cardinals home games — for the April 18 road game, the feed originates from SCHN.
National Broadcasts on Fox, ESPN, or Apple TV+
- Space City Home Network states that select games each season are chosen by MLB for exclusive national broadcasts, including games on Apple TV, Roku, TBS/TNT, Peacock, ABC, ESPN, and Fox. Space City Home Network (national broadcast policy)
- As of now, the April 18 game is not listed as nationally exclusive, meaning it will air locally on SCHN.
If a national broadcaster picks up the game later, local viewers would lose access on SCHN and would need a subscription to that national platform.
What this means: monitor the MLB schedule for any late changes to avoid losing your planned viewing method.
Can I stream baseball games for free?
Free Trials on Fubo and Prime Video
- Fubo frequently offers a free trial period (typically 7 days) that includes live sports channels — including SCHN in the Astros region. (No official source for current trial terms — check Fubo’s website.)
- Prime Video subscribers may get select games at no extra cost if included with Prime; the April 18 game is not confirmed on Prime.
MLB.TV Free Game of the Day
- MLB.TV provides one free Game of the Day each day, subject to blackout restrictions. The Astros vs. Cardinals game on April 18 could be the free game, but it’s not guaranteed. Check MLB’s daily free game schedule.
Blackout Restrictions and Availability
- Space City Home Network explicitly warns that it only has rights to distribute games within the home television territory for each team, and territories are decided by the leagues. Space City Home Network (rights and blackouts)
- If you are inside the Astros’ regional territory, MLB.TV will black out the game; using a VPN is technically possible but violates MLB’s terms of service.
No legal free full-season stream exists for out-of-market fans without a subscription. A free trial on Fubo gives you the game, but only if you live in the Astros’ territory — and only for a week.
The catch: free streaming is geographically limited and time-bound; plan accordingly.
Steps to watch the game
- Determine your location: Are you in the Astros’ home television territory (Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, eastern New Mexico)? Check your ZIP code on Space City Home Network’s availability tool. Space City Home Network (coverage)
- Choose your delivery method: In-market — use cable, satellite, or a live TV streaming service (Fubo, DirecTV Stream) that carries SCHN. Out-of-market — subscribe to MLB.TV or wait for a potential national broadcast.
- Verify blackout status: If you subscribe to MLB.TV but live in the Astros’ region, the game will be blacked out. Plan for an alternative like a free trial of Fubo.
- Test your setup: If using a streaming service, sign in early, check the channel lineup, and confirm the game is included in your package.
Following these steps in order minimizes the risk of missing first pitch due to regional restrictions.
What we know — and what’s still fuzzy
Confirmed facts
- Space City Home Network is the Astros’ local TV home. Space City Home Network
- The game is scheduled for April 18, 2026 at Daikin Park. MLB.com
- SCHN is available in five states. Space City Home Network
What’s unclear
- Whether the April 18 game will later be picked up by a national network.
- Exact pricing and free trial availability for streaming services as of 2026.
- Whether the game will be offered as MLB.TV’s free Game of the Day.
- Which specific games each season are preempted for national broadcasters (general policy known, but not for this date).
If you live in the Astros’ territory and rely on MLB.TV, you’ll hit a blackout wall. The only legal in-market streaming workaround is a live TV service like Fubo — and that requires a subscription after the free trial ends.
The pattern: in-market viewers have fewer free options; out-of-market viewers have more flexibility but must verify blackout zones.
What the official broadcasters say
“Fans in the Cardinals Home TV territory can stream every Cardinals game in-market—live or on demand—through Cardinals.TV presented by bet365 on the MLB App.”
MLB.com (Cardinals broadcast page)
“Space City Home Network is the television home of your Houston Astros. Space City is available on cable, satellite, and OTT providers in the region.”
Space City Home Network (Astros watch page)
For fans in the Astros’ home territory, the choice is clear: tune in on Space City Home Network via cable or a live TV streaming service that carries it. Out-of-market fans can turn to MLB.TV, but must first confirm they are not blacked out. The April 18 game has no announced national exclusivity, so local broadcasting rules will apply — and free options are limited to short trial periods. The safe bet: check your ZIP code, pick your provider, and test your stream before first pitch.
Frequently asked questions
What time is the Houston Astros vs St. Louis Cardinals game?
First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET on April 18, 2026. MLB.com (game archive)
Is the Astros vs Cardinals game on national TV?
No national broadcast has been announced for this date. The game is expected to air locally on Space City Home Network. Space City Home Network (national broadcast policy)
Can I watch the game on YouTube TV?
YouTube TV’s channel lineup varies by market. It may carry SCHN in the Astros region. Check YouTube TV’s local channel list before game day.
How do I watch the game if I live in both teams’ home territories?
The game is in Houston, so only the Astros’ home territory (SCHN) applies for local broadcast. Cardinals territory viewers in St. Louis are out of market and can use MLB.TV (subject to blackout rules enforced for the Astros’ region).
What is the cheapest way to stream this game?
If you live in the Astros’ territory, the cheapest option is a free trial of Fubo. Out-of-market, the MLB.TV single-team subscription or a free trial of MLB.TV (if available) is the lowest-cost legal option.
Are there any blackout restrictions for this specific game?
Yes. Viewers inside the Astros’ regional television territory (Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, eastern New Mexico) are blacked out on MLB.TV. Space City Home Network has exclusive local rights. Space City Home Network (blackout policy)
Where can I buy tickets to watch in person?
Tickets are available through the Houston Astros official website or secondary market platforms. Check the Astros’ schedule page for availability.
Does the game have a Spanish-language broadcast?
Spanish-language broadcasts are typically available on local radio (e.g., La Raza 94.9 FM in Houston). Check the Astros’ media guide closer to game day.
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