Crush City Territory: A Houston Astros Podcast

The Astros have the American League's worst rotation — and now must confront some difficult questions at the All-Star break. Tyler Stafford and The Athletic's Chandler Rome discuss the continued struggles of Spencer Arrighetti and Tatsuya Imai and what the team could do to reinvigorate its rotation before analyzing the end of Justin Verlander's Hall of Fame career and Yordan Alvarez's desire to never play for another team.
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Mike Burrows had his worst start of a brutal first half, prompting serious questions about where the Astros go from here in their rotation. Tyler Stafford and The Athletic's Chandler Rome try to answer some of them, including whether Burrows would be better served in the minor leagues, how Cristian Javier fits in all of this and the dilemma Joe Espada faces each night. Stafford and Rome also discuss Yordan Alvarez's continued pursuit of the Triple Crown and the decision to option Jake Meyers.
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The Astros have one of baseball's least-productive outfields and a pitching staff without much stability behind reigning Cy Young finalist Hunter Brown. Which area deserves the most attention at the trade deadline? Tyler Stafford and The Athletic's Chandler Rome debate that topic, the true value of popular trade target AJ Blubaugh, the role that returning pitchers will play and how much Dana Brown's job status factors into all of this.
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Tatsuya Imai's enigmatic season continued with another clunker against the Minnesota Twins. Cristian Javier is making his long-awaited return — but as a reliever. And the Astros are fielding trade calls on several members of their bullpen, including AJ Blubaugh. Former Astros outfielder Josh Reddick joins Tyler Stafford and The Athletic's Chandler Rome to discuss the predicament, why Javier is becoming a reliever and what the best path forward may be in trades.
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Yordan Alvarez had an MVP moment on Tuesday night, whacking a go-ahead grand slam off Twins ace Joe Ryan during the Astros' 6-4 win. How many more moments like this will Alvarez need to lock up the honor? Tyler Stafford and The Athletic's Chandler Rome discuss that, Jeremy Peña's trip to the injured list with a strained left calf and Tatsuya Imai's increased comfort in Houston's clubhouse. To read Chandler's story about Imai, click here.
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