Stone Cold Stros: A Houston Astros Podcast

Seattle leapfrogs both Houston and Texas in the division, but the Astros have some advantages down the stretch. Justin Verlander and Framber Valdez have bounce-back performances. Alex Bregman and the Astros offense look like they are shaping into form at just the right time.

Houston holds a players-only meeting after being swept by Seattle. The schedule becomes critically important as the Division and Wild Card race tighten. Can Houston's pitching be fixed this year?

The Astros are rolling but so are the Rangers and a familiar division rival. Injury news is a mixed bag. New York media is already looking to smear Justin Verlander now that he's back in Houston.

Houston has made some roster moves in response to a struggling offense, but is the order of Houston's lineup making a tough situation worse? How does Dusty Baker navigate a bullpen that has so many arms that are currently "unusable" in leverage situations?

The Houston Astros have traded for Justin Verlander at the deadline. Let's break it down!

Houston's division rivals have shoved their chips in the middle with some big trades. The Astros are finding the cost of poker very high on a short stack. Dusty Baker is losing his patience with the questions regarding his lineup and usage of Martin Maldonado and Yainer Diaz.

Cristian Javier has taken some nice steps in the right direction. Is he fixed? What about Framber? Is Justin Verlander's no-trade clause an advantage for Houston? How long will Houston be Kyle Tucker's kingdom?

The Astros limped into the break with a series loss but the division lead is still within their grasp. This week Brandon, Charlie, and Josh bounce around what they learned in the first half of the season and who/what can potentially put them over the top in the second half.

What are the implications from the Lone Star Series? Who is the Astros mid-season Rookie of Year and mid-season MVP?

After some bullpen implosions, the Astros have some tough decisions. How much falls on the GM to force Dusty Baker's hand? Good thing they are getting some critical help from some unexpected places!

Who's to blame for the Astros current slide? Do context clues indicate when Houston could turn it around?

The most important things that need to break the Astros way to get back on track. Big D energy applies to 2 unlikely heroes. Is Dana Brown winning a leadership power struggle?

Alex Bregman bat just work up in a big way. How do Framber and Javier match against the AL's best rotations? Who are the bigger threat to the Astros: the Rays or Rangers?

Updates on Jose Urquidy and Lance McCullers. JP France and Brandon Beilak are pulling their weight.

On this week's episode: who's stepping up during this stretch. How do the Astros solve the Altuve-Abreu-Dubon puzzle? Let's feast on some tasty national media cope.

Can Houston's young pitchers help bridge the gap to a healthy Astros roster? Who's taking the most bullets in the Astros "blame game" on social media? Projecting the Astros offense in the second quarter of the season with a healthy Jose Altuve.

How and when will returning players impact Houston? Is another player catching unfair bullets in the Jose Abreu conversation? What's going on with Alex Bregman?

What to make of a strange April. Dusty Baker makes an odd comment about the catching situation. Who can step up for starting depth? Is anyone panicking yet on Jose Abreu?

Is Yordan's contract the best bargain in baseball? Why determining odd-man out in roster just got harder. The case for Yainer Diaz. Which is the better team: Astros or Rays?

The Rangers make a statement in Minute Maid. One new Astro is worthy of a keeping a concerned eye on. Yordan Alvarez is a god playing a man's game, but can he crack the MVP conversation?

Hunter Brown and Chas McCormick provide some much-needed answers for Astros. Former Astro Christian Vasquez confirms a perplexing report. Houston fans should be especially interested in one particular Pirate.

Early lessons learned from the White Sox series. The new rules are going swimmingly. What to watch for from the Detroit series.

Projecting the final rosters spots for position players and pitchers. Is Jeremy Pena hitting leadoff? How the White Sox stack up to Houston. Astros roster gets some shine from Fox Sports.

WBC not making fans in USA after impactful injuries. Weighing Astros options for second base and the leadoff spot. Does Dana Brown lob Yuli a call? Jeremy Pena credits another Astros with his postseason success.

Three Astros players just went from "MIA" to "BIA" and the guys highlight some young talent that have stood out this Spring!

Early reactions to pace of play rules. A Yankees blogger gets it very twisted. The latest on Michael Brantley's rehab and Kyle Tucker's contract talks. The battle for centerfield takes shape.

Forrest Whitley gets a Spring Training start. Kyle Tucker is not a fan of the pitch clock. How the new rules could impact how we consume baseball. Former Astros GM is now behind enemy lines. Alex Bregman may send Manny Machado's agent a giant fruit basket.

Players from Red Sox, Dodgers finally admit they cheated too. Lance McCullers soreness could lead to big opportunities for some. Framber Valdez's agent makes a bold claim. Maldy isn't feeling the love from H-Town. MGM's win total for Astros is very tricky.

This week, the guys analyze the implications of the Cristian Javier extension, react to Keith Law's top 20 Astros prospects, debate what happens at the catcher position, and project who will have a better season: Aaron Judge or Yordan Alvarez.

A new book has some spicy quotes from anonymous sources that (not shockingly) paint the Astros in an unfavorable light. Rinse, repeat! Deciding Dana Brown's priorities are everyone's favorite exercise, so the guys take their turn. One World Series winner is just looking for a small deal and some time, and his search continues.

Outspoken pitcher Joe Kelly makes waves with his most recent Astros comments. The Astros GM hire addresses a major need. Hopes for Yuli-extension look bleak. What was his finest moment as an Astro?

This week, the guys discuss Jeff Bagwell's updates from Astros Fanfest including the latest status with Yuli Gurriel. Dusty Baker and Baggie have different opinions on Michael Brantley's return. A front-runner has emerged in the Astros GM search. Bob Nightengale speaks truth to power regarding Carlos Beltran and the Houston Astros.

This week, the guys discuss the GM candidates interviewing for the Astros GM opening, the 2 players headed to salary arbitration, the top international signings, and more!

The guys compare the Yankees and Astros lineups. Is HOU's 3-6 better than NYY's 1-4? They pick their prime candidates for helping in the DH role and which rookies they project to have a breakout season.

This week, the guys discuss Carlos Correa's contract limbo, whether the Astros should consider taking a chance on Trevor Bauer, a possible Astros broadcast shake-up, and Bleacher Report's idiotic ranking of Houston's front office.

This week the guys discuss Michael Brantley re-signing with Houston, how the Yankees rotation stacks up to the Astros, another catcher being linked to Houston, and whether Astros should extend Framber Valdez early.

This week, Charlie, Josh, and Brandon discuss the recent surge in MLB spending, MLB.com's ridiculous list of top pitching duos, and whether Yankees fans desire to sign Carlos Correa is the death knell for the 2017 sign-stealing scandal.

On the debut episode, the guys discuss Verlander's new deal with the Mets, what it means for Houston, which outfielder lands in Houston, and does signing another catcher make sense for Astros.

SportsMap Houston debuts our new Astros podcast: Stone Cold Stros!