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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The Astros won their fifth consecutive series, crept to two games below .500 and sit just a half-game back of a playoff spot in the American League. Tyler Stafford and The Athletic's Chandler Rome discuss the Astros' successful weekend in Detroit, the contributions from their entire roster and Tatsuya Imai's second straight strong start before analyzing a pretty compelling roster crunch looming on the pitching staff.

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The Astros are 19-12 in their last 31 games and, after winning two of three against the Blue Jays, have won four series in a row. Tyler Stafford and The Athletic's Chandler Rome discuss the growing momentum, Mike Burrows' return to the starting rotation and Yordan Alvarez's continued awesomeness before discussing the dearth of outfield options on the roster and one internal candidate who could be up sooner rather than later.

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As the minor-league season reaches its halfway point, Astros farm director Sam Niedorf joins The Athletic's Chandler Rome to discuss the best performances of the first half, the breakout of catching prospect Jason Schiavone, the progress of teenaged prospects Xavier Neyens and Kevin Alvarez along with the continued development of Miguel Ullola, Ethan Pecko and Bryce Mayer. Rome then discusses the Astros' series win against the Guardians, Jose Altuve's rare display of frustration and Yordan Alvarez's decision to bypass the Home Run Derby.

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In this episode of Crush City Territory, Mitch Bannon and Chandler Rome of The Athletic break down many connections between the Jays and Astros franchises, the parallels between their 2026 seasons and preview Houston’s upcoming series in Toronto.

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The Astros are 15-10 since May 22, but need to start stacking more wins if they want to be a legitimate playoff threat. Todd Kalas, the team's television voice on Space City Home Network, joins The Athletic's Chandler Rome to discuss whether the team is turning a corner, the two offensive players Houston must receive more from to become more dynamic and whether Tatsuya Imai could be on borrowed time in the Astros' rotation.

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