Stone Cold Stros: A Houston Astros Podcast

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?

Following the pitching implosion against the Yankees, the Astros head out on a crucial roadtrip that could tilt their Division chances in either direction. Is the rotation cooked? Where does the team go with Framber for the remainder of the season?

Examining Houston's inability to seize their softer schedule, the recent string of solid pitching performances, how does the organization address offense shortcomings without touching the coaching staff, and digging into the threat of the upcoming 3 series.

Astros take the series against Colorado by the slimmest of margins but all eyes have been on Yordan Alvarez who already looks back to form. With Luis Garcia's return on the horizon, and McCullers headed to the bullen, can Houston find enough good pitching to solidify their rotation and finish strong down the stretch?

The bats came alive in Baltimore but not before losing another leverage arm to the IL. Examining the concern levels for Houston's pitching depth, the Yordan domino effect, re-evaluating the trade deadline moves with hindsight, and the possibility of Divisional realignment.

Reacting to the Astros being on the wrong side of another sweep, the seriousness of Framber's recent performances, and Houston's primary variables to salvage this stretch.

The Astros head to Detroit reeling after getting embarrassed by the Orioles. The SCS crew examines how Houston still has the odds in their favor, how Joe Espada may juggle the returning starters, and whether this next 14 game stretch could ultimately decide whether the Astros could miss the postseason.

Things learned from the Red Sox series, discussing Abreu as the primary leverage option, and opportunities to rebuild a possible cushion in the Division race.

Breaking down the Astros big series win over the Yankees, Espada's manager-of-the-year chances, the heightened pressure on the bullpen, homecoming series in Houston, and the neck-and-neck race atop the AL West.

Reactions from the Marlines series. Is Houston now built for the offense to carry a bigger load while the starting pitching gets healthy? How critical is the upcoming series in the Bronx against a struggling Yankees team?

The excitement of the Correa trade was quickly quelled by a sweep in Boston. Can Houston's hitters become more patient hitters over 2/3rds into the season or will they live-and-die by early aggression? Do the Astros postseason hopes hinge on productive returns from 2 critical pieces of the starting rotation?

The Astros sent shockwaves though the MLB universe at the deadline by pulling off the unthinkable: bringing Carlos Correa back to Houston! The SCS crew react to Dana Brown's roster glow-up!

Has the Astros season magic finally been trumped by the underwhelming level of talent remaining on the roster? Have Hunter Brown and/or Cam Smith hit their season wall? Can Houston's GM afford to stand pat at the deadline given the increased level of concern regarding his team's ability to remain healthy?

Following a sweep of the Diamondbacks, the Astros find themselves neck-and-neck atop the AL. Examining the carousel of unlikely heroes that continue to power Houston's success, the cryptic Yordan update, a frustrating setback for Lance McCullers Jr, and revisiting the Astros' trade needs with new context.

Another series, another key player lost to the IL. What's the domino effect of losing Isaac Paredes while Houston awaits the return of Jeremy Pena and Yordan Alvarez. And how much leash can the Astros front office continue to give embattled pitcher Lance McCullers, Jr?

Examining the Astros big swing in the Draft, whether the Seattle series could swing Division momentum, and what are GM Dana Brown's options for fixing first base?

Is Houston limping into the break a red flag about the depth of talent on the Astros roster? Reactions to GM Dana Brown's latest injury/rehab updates and timelines for returns. Examining the post All-Star Break schedule looking for advantages over the next several series.

Was Houston's series against the Guardians due to a Dodgers hangover or a breaking point for the depth of the current roster? Is Jake Meyers a victim of a broken Astros return-to-play policy? What levers will we see Dana Brown pull to course-correct this team?

Observations from an epic sweep in Dodger Stadium, the shifting expectations for the Astros ceiling for the season, All-Star balloting, returning relievers, and reacting to Orel Hershiser's divisive remarks.

Astros take 2 of 3 in Colorado and all eyes now shift to their showdown with the Dodgers in LA. Has the Yordan Alvarez injury saga forced Houston to shift their philosophy in transparency? What does Cam Smith need to do in the second half to make his case for Rookie of the Year?

Reflecting back on a dominant homestand against two of the National League's top teams, looking ahead to road trip at Rockies/Dodgers, digging into the latest trade rumors, and wondering when Big Jon Singleton gets his next call-up to the big team.

Houston completes the sweep on Philly, holding them to just 1 run over 3 games. With the Cubs on deck, where the Astros find themselves as one of baseball's best without Kyle Tucker (and others). Does Jeremy Pena hiring Scott Boras mark the end of Houston's ability to extend JP3 to an extension pas his rookie deal?

Recapping a productive road trip, previewing Houston's upcoming gauntlet of games, and examining whether it's time to rethink criticisms of the Astros hitting coaches.

On this episode, the SCS crew discuss whether the Astros can maintain this winning clip, whether Cam Smith is Houston's next franchise player, and debate the legitimacy of the Athletic's World Series projections for H-Town.

The Astros keep trucking along, setting the pace in the AL West. Charlie, Josh, and Brandon discuss the new and familiar faces at the center of a surging Houston team, if Joe Espada's managing performance to this point is award-worthy, examine the Astros culture of winning, and dig into the evolving dynamics of Houston's potential for a trade.

What is the ripple effect of Isaac Paredes hamstring injury? What are some possible silver linings with the timing of his injury? Has Jacob Melton's arrival put Chas McCormick at risk of losing his place on the roster?

On this episode, the Stone Cold Stros guys discuss how impressive Astros' recent really is in the face of all their challenges, if they can keep this pace into the All-Star Break, and lessons learned from the fallout from what could be the last chapter of Forrest Whitley's career in Houston.

This episode, the guys discuss whether its time to buy McCullers stock, how the low innings pitched by the backend of the rotation is putting more pressure on Houston's lights-out bullpen, and what the softening strength of schedule means for the Astros.

While Houston continues to jockey for the division lead, the team is experiencing health concerns in addition to the questions around the viability of the back half of the rotation. Making matters worse, Houston admits they misdiagnosed Yordan's injury which has exacerbated the problem, with no ETA for his return. If this is Framber's last year in Houston, did the Astros do enough to take advantage of this double-ace rotation?

Can Lance McCullers make up for the loss of Ronel Blanco? Which is the bigger trade priority: lefty bat or rotation help? Does the schedule lend itself to Houston being a multi-game division leader by the time Yordon makes his return?

Given Houston's challenges versus the results, can we say the Astros have actually overachieved to this point? Has the Kyle Tucker trade positioned Houston better in the big picture? Does Houston's newest bullpen phenom past the eye test for long-term success? Does Alex Bregman's injury close the book on the debate over whether Houston should've found a way to keep the star third baseman?

Another week, another Astros starter goes down with elbow issues. Can Houston tread water with 3/5ths of their rotation on the shelf? With another setback to the pitching, the Stone Cold Stros panel takes a hard look at the curious roster construction that really begs the question, are they #BuiltForThis? After finally hearing from Yordan Alvarez directly about his injury, how much would a healthy career-level Yordan mean to giving Houston's hopes of keeping their playoff appearance streak alive?

As Houston keeps hovering just over the .500 mark for the season, the Stone Cold 'Stros crew checks in on what's working for the Astros (the pitching and defense) and what's not working (most of the offense, Altuve's usage, return to play protocols, and preventing steals on the base paths).

Even with suboptimal offensive performances, the Astros find themselves right in the thick of content for the Division. Does that mean they are just a healthy Yordan Alvarez away from taking control of the AL West? Speaking of the AL West, Houston enters a big stretch of division

Mounting evidence points to the Astros offense waking up. The Houston rotation takes some hits with Hayden Wesneski's health concerns and Lance McCullers Jr's rocky returns. Hunter Brown and Jeremy Pena go head-to-head for Astros quarter season MVP.

What Yordan's IL stint means for Houston. Examining Jose Altuve's extension in the aftermath of the roster moves that have followed. Should the Astros explore bringing back Michael Brantley to be a mentor for the hitters on this team, specifically to help Altuve adjust to what appears to be a decline in his abilities?

Even while struggling for consistency, the Astros are still within striking distance of the Division lead. Jose Altuve's struggling trends with the bat. Examining Lance McCullers' return. How critical are the next 7 series considering the current standings and the Division implications?

Christian Walker's recent success and some eye-opening advanced stats. Jeremy Pena is thrust into the leadoff spot following Altuve's request to move down. The implications and expectations surrounding Lance McCullers Jr's imminent return to action.

Houston's entire pitching staff continues to impress and there's no reason to think its not sustainable. While the Astros offense continues to struggle to find consistent production, is it actually a good sign that the team is keeping pace in the Division without Houston's offense waking up? Can Houston optimize their lineup by moving Jose Altuve back to second base?

Digging into the early performances from Houston's pitching staff. The glass-half-full perspective of the Astros' offense. Cam Smith is taking flyballs in center. Is this a sign of things to come?

Is the disparity of offense to pitching sustainable for Houston to once again win their division? Is the excellent pitching for the Astros actually poised to get even better? What happens when the Whitley, Ort, and McCullers rejoin the roster?

Why is Christian Walker being made the face of a struggling offense? How did Houston get here? What levers can Dana Brown pull to course-correct this roster?

Houston changes the conversation after a run-scoring explosion. The concerns over the outfield defense has slowly faded. Astros pitching is performing at a league-leading clip.

Is Houston's offense in a slump or are they really just this bad? How much is the lack of offensive production is on the hitting coaches? Concern levels following the Arrighetti injury and bullpen struggles.

Astros start the season winning 2 of their first 3 series but struggle to define their identity. The bullpen comes up nails after early rotation challenges. Is Dana Brown's Tucker trade vindicated by Vlad Jr's crazy contract?

What's going on with Houston's offense at home? Hunter Brown arrives as Astros next ace-apparent. Luis Garcia gets some tough news. Torpedo bats are headed to Houston.

Early observations from the series win over the Mets and what to watch for against the Giants. How the second half of the rotation and Lance McCullers could be key ingredients to the long-term success of Houston's season. Torpedo bats: innovation or illegal?

Opening day reaction. Implications of Houston's active roster. Latest update regarding Luis Garcia doesn't sound positive.

Why the last few roster spots could be the most exciting. One new face for the pen while another makes his comeback. Examining Astros win totals and other odds for the season.

Following Lance McCullers Jr.'s critical step forward in his rehab, Luis Garcia suffered a setback in his. Jose Altuve's errors in left raise questions about the outfield but will the defensive questions in left serve as a roadblock for Cam Smith getting the nod in right?