Stone Cold Stros: A Houston Astros Podcast

Highlighting some dominant pitching performances, flashes of patience and power from the bats, and previewing the road trip.

Examining Houston's dubious pitching start, some unexpected heroes on offense, early takeaways from ABS, and looking ahead to the Red Sox series.

Hunter Brown posted a shutout but wasn't sharp enough to get out of the 4th inning while Joey Loperfido accounted for 2/3 of the Astros total hits versus the Angels. Is this an omen for the season or does everyone need to take a breath and lock in for the marathon season?

Final takeaways from Spring Training, players to watch with excitement, x-factors that could tilt the season, and regular season win-loss predictions.

Projecting Houston's rotation, the final roster spots, and Division hopes.

The front end of the rotation looks sharp, the back is a work-in-progress. Will the outfield have a surprise wild card? Examining the Jeremy Pena injury domino effect.

Reacting to low Spring run production, a new piece being added to the outfield puzzle, and how an imbalanced roster could have off-field implications.

Early reaction to Astros Spring action, evaluating GM Dana Brown's offseason performance, interesting quotes from Jesus Sanchez' new hitting coach, and thoughts on ABS and the future of balls & strike calls.

Reactions to Hunter Brown revealing there's been no extension talks, the added flexibility from the Sanchez-Loperfido trade, Yordan talking about LF, and Dana Brown saying he's not done.

The Josh Hader vibes are mysterious, the trade market shifts drastically, the domino effect that led here, and no last dance for JV in Houston.

Framber finds his bag in the Motor City, why Boston could be out on Paredes, and what to make of Houston's 2026 season slogan.

The final update on arbitrations, Astros in the WBC, Cam Smith to Center (?), and Joe Espada's remarks on Yordan's usage.

Carlos Correa made headlines at FanFest by calling out the team's lack of wellness protocols, Altuve is denied participation in the WBC, and Dana Brown says he'll be creative with the infield.

The implications of Tucker's king's ransom payday, Bob Nightengale seemingly turns Carlos Beltran's HOF candidacy into an opportunity to show his bias against the Astros, and saying farewell to the end of an Astros legend's career.

The latest on Isaac Paredes trade reports, the thin market for Jake Meyers, a possible return of a World Series champion, and the impact of Framber Valdez's reputation on his market value.

Alex Bregman takes his bat and glove to Chicago. How that could heat up Astros trade talks, the latest on Kyle Tucker, and the Jeremy Pena implications from all of it.

Imai's arrival and how he fits into Houston's rotation. Does this signing signal a philosophical shift for Houston in free agency? Crane confirms uncertain future of Dana Brown and Joe Espada.

Examining the Astros most pressing need, the ceiling for the team as-constructed, the infield conundrum, and New Years resolutions for Houston's 2026 season.

ESPN's grade of Houston's recent trade for Mike Burrows underscores how out of touch the national media is with the Astros' resources and roster. Plus: Christmas gift ideas for Astros players in 2026.

Reactions to Friday's 3-team deal that sent Mike Burrows to the Astros and predictions about what's next for Houston.

The Astros seem to be betting big on pitching reclamation projects. FanGraph's eyebrow-raising Cam Smith 2026 projections. Alex Bregman is still looking for his forever home.

Astros have discussed a homecoming for one Houston-native pitcher. Did the Astros really fix their return to play procedures? Boston is interested in one Houston infielder that could rock the Astros roster as we know it.

Astros looking to win big at the penny slots. What big name Astro would Houston deal for a frontline starter? Did Houston pay too much for a catcher?

Examining Houston's non-tender deadline moves, when we can expect Dana Brown's substantive trade of the offseason, and digging into Astros new position of "Offensive Coordinator."

Astros have interest in another infielder but how do the pieces fit? Was Altuve's lingering foot injury a wake-up call to adjust his usage in 2026? Is Houston ready to sell high on Jake Meyers?

Will Dylan Cease be an Astro in 2026? One MLB insider is leaning that direction. Another insider confirms Christian Walker was and is on the trade block. What does a Walker trade net Houston? And where in the world is Jim Crane?

The organization moves on from a couple of stars from the 2022 Championship team. The Astros have reportedly found their new hitting coach but can he work miracles? Is MLB media glossing over the Dodgers financial advantage?

Astros lose another member of the coaching staff. Former MLB exec projects hefty free agency price tags. Has the NBA's scandal taught us anything about how MLB handled their scandal?

Should Astros go for JV, part 3? Springer's Dinger opens old wounds. The only realistic scenario for a Bregman homecoming is...

Will Houston's internal overhaul actually lead to positive results? Was the Astros head athletic trainer scapegoated? Will 2 consecutive seasons without a postseason win influence Jim Crane's offseason approach?

Is Joe Espada's seat a little warm? Could Framber return for one more season? Is Houston a healthy season away from another Postseason berth? Would Jim Crane make another run at Alex Bregman for 2026?

The 2025 season eulogy, how it will be remembered a couple years from now, and the top priorities that must be address for Houston to bounce back in 2026.

After dropping 2 to the A's, the Astros are desperate for W's and a little luck.

After being swept by Seattle, and with Jeremy Pena sidelined, Houston is left with their playoff hopes teetering on a razor's edge. What's the path to the postseason and has Christian Walker's 2026 fate already been decided?

The Astros swept the Rangers out of Houston, keep the Silver Boot, but Yordan's boot is the upmost concern as the series against Seattle looms large.

After a losing roadtrip, the division lead slips to Seattle. Is Framber cooked? Altuve hurt, Paredes getting better?

After another weak offensive showing in Toronto, the Astros seem poised to lose a Division lead they've held for most of the season. But while the theme of the season has been the overwhelming amount of injuries, the lineup (outside of Parades) is pretty much intact down the stretch. So who's really to blame for the current state the team finds themselves in, and will it lead to wholesale changes in the offseason?

After getting Silver Boot'ed out of Arlington, Houston is left to figure out how to course-correct in time to salvage their top spot in the Division. What's the better option for Jose Altuve in the #3 hole? Is the number of arms on the IL with elbow inflammation the obvious red flag it appears?