The Tampa Bay Rays, armed with the best record in the American League, outclassed the Astros in a series sweep at Tropicana Field that pared Houston's AL West lead to one game. Tyler Stafford and The Athletic's Chandler Rome discuss the three-game series, Yordan Alvarez's ankle-related absence, Jeremy Peña's continued struggles and manager Joe Espada's decision to not intentionally walk Junior Caminero in the series opener. The two then discuss the revelation that Carlos Correa could play second base upon his return to the team.

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Cam Smith homered in all three games of the Astros' series win in Philadelphia, including a go-ahead, solo shot in the ninth inning on Thursday against Phillies closer Jhoan Duran. Is the aircraft carrier finally breaking out? Former Astros outfielder Josh Reddick joins Tyler Stafford and The Athletic's Chandler Rome to discuss that, Yordan Alvarez's continued power outage, Hunter Brown's late-season switch to becoming a sinkerballer and Carlos Correa's continued progress as he attempts to make a late-season return.

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The Astros started their six-game gauntlet with a gutty win against the Phillies on Tuesday night. Tyler Stafford and The Athletic’s Chandler Rome go live before Game 2 on Wednesday, discussing Hayden Wesneski’s continued excellence, Yordan Alvarez's prolonged homer-less drought, the bullpen showing some cracks in the foundation and how the lineup must function for the last 17 games.

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The Astros dropped two of three against the Arizona Diamondbacks in a series that saw Houston's bullpen take a substantial hit while Yordan Alvarez broke out of his home run drought. Tyler Stafford and The Athletic's Chandler Rome discuss Steven Okert's injury and how the Astros' bullpen may respond, Alvarez's career-high 38 home runs and how the team's top-heavy lineup can create any length.

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The Astros took three out of four from the American League Central-leading Chicago White Sox and crept closer to a first-round bye in the AL playoff picture. Former Astros outfielder Josh Reddick joins Tyler Stafford and The Athletic's Chandler Rome to discuss the series win, Hayden Wesneski's impressive return from Tommy John surgery, Jose Altuve's ability to hit high balls for home runs and how the Astros' offense can improve across the season's final month.

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Former Astros general manager Dana Brown joined Foul Territory on Tuesday and made his first extensive comments since being dismissed. Tyler Stafford and The Athletic's Chandler Rome analyzed some of Brown's most revealing comments before discussing the latest in Carlos Correa's recovery from ankle surgery, Tatsuya Imai's continued absence in the bullpen and Mike Burrows' shoulder injury.

To watch Dana Brown's full interview on Foul Territory, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAk8X1YkzP8

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At the behest of Jeff Bagwell, the Astros brought back venerated pitching coach Brent Strom as a pitching consultant in hopes of catalyzing a late-season turnaround. Tyler Stafford and The Athletic's Chandler Rome discuss how Strom got back to the ballclub, the areas he can improve and what his presence means for the future of the organization. The duo then breaks down Hunter Brown's dominant start against the New York Mets and the Astros' continued search for outfield continuity. 

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Astros owner Jim Crane spoke for the first time on Tuesday since parting ways with general manager Dana Brown. Tyler Stafford and The Athletic's Chandler Rome discuss Crane's comments, the future of manager Joe Espada, what doomed Brown and where Crane may look next for his new head of baseball operations.

To read Jim Crane's full Q&A with reporters on Tuesday at Yankee Stadium, click here: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7538910/2026/08/25/qa-astros-jim-crane-joe-espada-decisions/?unlocked_article_code=1.8VA.GMMz.-eY10Cfv3P_k&source=emp_shared_article&smid=url-share-ta

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The Astros and Dana Brown parted ways on Monday, ending a three-and-a-half year tenure for Houston's general manager. Tyler Stafford and The Athletic's Chandler Rome discuss why Brown was dismissed now, what led to his downfall, what this means for manager Joe Espada and where the Astros go from here.

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The Astros ended an embarrassing homestand with their worst loss of the season — blowing a six-run lead against the lowly A's, who entered play with the worst record in baseball. Tyler Stafford and The Athletic's Chandler Rome discuss Houston's horrific 3-6 homestand, the ramifications on its playoff pursuit, what can be fixed to get things on the right track and how Joe Espada's absence accentuated that this isn't a managerial issue.

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