Stone Cold Stros: A Houston Astros Podcast

Houston's surging ace-in-the-making Hunter Brown continues to roll. What it means for the Astros rotation in the short and long-term.

It's official: the Astros have fought their way back to the top of the division but now the challenge will be to hold onto their thin lead as the schedule stiffens up in August. The waiting game begins as all eyes focus on Dana Brown as he looks to plug pitching holes at the trade deadline.

The All-Star Break provides opportunity to assess positive strides made while also prioritizing much-needed reinforcements and what those could be. Sifting through the latest batch of Astros trade rumors. Remembering our dear friend and colleague, Ken Hoffman.

With the Astros closing in on Seattle atop the division, the Astros are riding a wave of positive results, close calls, and ominous updates ahead of their showdown with Texas.

The Astros end June as MLB's hottest team but how do they continue to walk this razor's edge with such a thin pitching staff and no Kyle Tucker?

The Astros are reported to have strong interest in Toronto's Vlad Guerrero, Jr, but the high price and obvious pitching needs begs the question of what's really behind these reports.

After clawing their way back into the wildcard and division pictures, Houston's trajectory balances on a razor's edge with the depths of their pitching staff being tested like never before. The Astros have major long-term questions to answer regarding both 1st and 3rd base.

With the Astros so thin in the starting rotation, can the young guns of Blanco and Brown be the final pieces that stabilize this staff? Why is the national media giving updates on Dana Brown's job status?

Jose Abreu's time with the Astros comes to a premature end less than halfway into his 3 year contract. Where does Houston go from here?

With another Astros insider saying Joe Espada's hands are tied in the Jose Abreu situation, that only leaves so many voices to intervene and influence change. A player-led intervention could be one of the team's last hopes.

Houston's pen takes its lumps and if they don't act now, then when? And the puppet masters start to take focus.

After losing back-to-back series, Houston has a lot of tough questions to answer as they drift further from playoff contention.

Troubling setbacks for the pitching staff. Jose Abreu makes his controversial return to the team during a critical stretch. Is Houston playing their best players or chasing sunken cost? What's motivating Joe Espada's lineups?

Kyle Tucker has become a one-man wrecking crew but the impending return of Jose Abreu has everyone asking "why?"

Why the next 17 games could decide the season and who is funneling info to a USA Today reporter?

The Astros have an even deeper hole to dig themselves out of and has Jim Crane learned his lesson? And more importantly, what is it?

Astros get well south of the border, a minor league slugger gets the call, and one writer can't get past Dusty Baker.

Charlie, Josh, and Brandon react to picks 42 & 59 of the NFL Draft night #2.

It's part blame game, part needs analysis in Houston.

Astros survive some slobber-knockers against the reigning champs and comments from Houston's front office have fans feeling a certain way.

As the Astros navigate a bumpy start to 2024, Ronel Blanco appears to be a stabilizing force for Houston.

The bad news: Astros get swept to open the season to the Yankees. The good news: it can ONLY go up from here. (Right?)

The Astros drop their opener to the Yankees. These were the takeaways!

One last wrinkle at the top of the lineup could pay dividends for the Astros offense. Brown and Javier wrap Spring outings on encouraging notes.

Now that the Snell sweepstakes is over, the Astros must look elsewhere for reinforcements. Here are some things to watch.

With Jose Urquidy's health in questoin and Astros' tied to Blake Snell, there arm so many question regarding the future of Houston's rotation. On the brighter side, some unlikely standouts are raising eyebrows in Spring Training.

The updates from the Grapefruit League look especially positive on the pitching side of things. ESPN's MLB Top 100 list makes a convincing case for Jim Crane's business sense.

Early MLB starting pitching power rankings are out. Where are the Astros slotted, the opportunities available, and why a look ahead (and behind) is revealing for Houston's schedule.

Spring training updates and why the next likely Astros player to be extended might surprise you.

How Chandler Rome's report on Jose Urquidy goes a long way to explain the pitcher's strange 2023 season.

Astros manager Joe Espada is seemingly brining some consistency to his batting order with at least one exciting change. What the skipper's update on rehabbing pitchers means for the rotation. A New York author ranks his top 50 Astros and the debate is on!

Will 2024 be the year of Yordan?

Pecota makes a strong win projection for Houston, Alex Bregman and Jeremy Pena have made some big changes, and a time share in the outfield begs some questions about Yordan and Chas!

What do early setbacks mean for Astros starting rotation? Who is the bullpen's biggest x-factor outside of 7-8-9?

A report from Bob Nightengale has our attention!

The Houston Astros extend superstar 2nd baseman Jose Altuve but what does that mean for other Astros players like Alex Bregman and Kyle Tucker?

Now that the dust has settled on the shocking Josh Hader acquisition, how does Houston intend to use their 7-8-9 relievers and how do they stack up to the legendary trio of Lidge-Dotel-Wagner?

Reaction to free agent closer Josh Hader signing with Houston!

Welp. That sucked. Brandon, Charlie, and Josh break down how it ended, final thoughts on this season, and look ahead to 2024.

Astros are spiraling but still control their destiny. Who will be held accountable for the starting pitching implosion?

Taking a look at how the AL West race shapes up in the final stretch. The Astros offense is clicking on cylinders but the results haven't been reflective of that. Is the fallout from WeightGate spilling into the locker room and team morale?

The offense is clicking on all cylinders. How does it compare to the 2019 Astros and, more importantly, the 2023 Atlanta Braves? is there any way either Cristian Javier, Hunter Brown, or Jose Urquidy get a start over JP France in the postseason? We examine WeightGate and the benefits of banana pudding.

The implications of the Astros beat down of the Rangers. The domino effect of Michael Brantley's return. Jim Crane may be seeking help to clean up a messy offseason.