What Is 2004 Houston Astros baseball team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2004 Houston Astros finished the regular season with a 92-70 record, winning the NL Wild Card but losing to the St. Louis Cardinals in the NLCS. Key players included Roger Clemens, who won the NL Cy Young Award, and closer Brad Lidge.

Key Facts

Finished the 2004 regular season with a 92-70 record, securing the NL Wild Card
Won the National League Division Series (NLDS) against the Atlanta Braves in 4 games
Lost the 2004 National League Championship Series (NLCS) to the St. Louis Cardinals in 6 games
Roger Clemens won the 2004 NL Cy Young Award with a 20-4 record and 2.98 ERA
Manager Larry Dierker was replaced mid-season by Phil Garner in September

Overview

The 2004 Houston Astros were a pivotal team in franchise history, marking one of their most successful regular seasons and postseason runs before reaching the World Series in 2005. After finishing with a 92-70 record, they clinched the National League Wild Card, the first in franchise history, and advanced past the Atlanta Braves in the NLDS. The team was led by a mix of veteran leadership and emerging talent, setting the stage for future success.

Despite falling short in the NLCS, the 2004 season was a turning point for the franchise, signaling a shift toward sustained competitiveness. Managerial changes during the season, including Phil Garner replacing Larry Dierker in September, helped stabilize the team down the stretch. The Astros' strong pitching and balanced offense made them a formidable opponent throughout the year.

Roger Clemens posted a 20-4 record with a 2.98 ERA, earning the NL Cy Young Award and becoming the first Astro to win it since 1986.
The team scored 749 runs and allowed 653, ranking among the top in the NL for run differential at +96.
Brad Lidge recorded 15 saves with a 2.45 ERA in 65 appearances, emerging as a reliable closer during the season.
Shortstop Adam Everett provided elite defense, leading NL shortstops with 15 defensive runs saved.
The Astros defeated the Atlanta Braves in the NLDS 3-2, winning Game 5 in Houston to advance to the NLCS.

How It Works

The 2004 Astros' success stemmed from a combination of strong starting pitching, timely hitting, and managerial adjustments late in the season. The team adapted mid-year when Phil Garner took over, instilling a more aggressive style that boosted performance in the second half.

Cy Young Award Winner: Roger Clemens won the 2004 NL Cy Young with 173 strikeouts and a league-leading 2.98 ERA, becoming the oldest pitcher to win the award at age 41.
Wild Card Qualification: The Astros finished second in the NL Central but secured the Wild Card with a 92-70 record, edging out the San Francisco Giants by one game.
Postseason Format: The NLDS was a best-of-five series; the Astros won 3-2 after losing the first two games on the road in Atlanta.
Managerial Change: Larry Dierker was replaced by Phil Garner on September 2, after the team went 74-69 under his leadership.
Offensive Leaders: Lance Berkman led the team with 30 home runs and 109 RBIs, while Carlos Beltrán hit .305 with 23 homers in 100 games after a mid-season trade.
Defensive Efficiency: The Astros ranked 3rd in the NL in defensive efficiency (.703), thanks to strong infield play and outfield arms.

Comparison at a Glance

Comparing the 2004 Astros to other top NL teams highlights their strengths and postseason shortcomings:

Team	Record	Run Differential	Postseason Result	Manager
Houston Astros	92-70	+96	Lost NLCS	Phil Garner (final 20 games)
St. Louis Cardinals	105-57	+204	Lost World Series	Tony La Russa
Atlanta Braves	96-66	+115	Lost NLDS	Bobby Cox
Los Angeles Dodgers	93-69	+103	Lost NLDS	Jim Tracy
San Diego Padres	81-81	+12	Did not qualify	Bob Melvin

The Cardinals dominated the regular season with 105 wins and a +204 run differential, ultimately defeating the Astros in the NLCS in six games. While Houston had solid pitching and defense, they struggled to generate consistent offense against St. Louis' elite rotation. The comparison shows how even strong teams can fall short in October due to matchups and small-sample variance.

Why It Matters

The 2004 season laid the foundation for the Astros' first World Series appearance the following year, proving the team could compete at the highest level. It also highlighted the value of mid-season managerial changes and veteran leadership in high-pressure environments.

The experience gained in the 2004 NLCS helped key players like Clemens, Lidge, and Berkman perform better in 2005.
Phil Garner’s leadership in 2004 earned him the full-time manager role, guiding the team to the 2005 World Series.
Roger Clemens’ Cy Young season reinforced the impact of star pitchers in playoff contention races.
The Wild Card berth demonstrated that strong second-place teams could still make deep postseason runs.
Carlos Beltrán’s mid-season acquisition showed the value of impactful trade-deadline moves.
The 2004 campaign revitalized fan interest in Houston, leading to higher attendance and engagement in 2005.

Ultimately, the 2004 Houston Astros were more than a playoff team—they were a bridge between years of near-misses and a historic breakthrough, setting the tone for a franchise-defining era.