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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Astros ace Hunter Brown made his long-awaited return in a series win that featured two saves from Josh Hader. Having both pitchers back provides a boost to a team in desperate need of one. Former Astros outfielder Josh Reddick joins Tyler Stafford and The Athletic's Chandler Rome to discuss the impact both arms will provide, how Brown looked in his first start since March 31 and a temporary move to the bullpen for embattled starter Mike Burrows.

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At a time when they need to start stacking wins, the Astros mustered just a 3-3 road trip against two of the American League's worst teams. Might Hunter Brown's return from the injured list be the boost they need? Tyler Stafford and The Athletic's Chandler Rome discuss the disappointing results from the road and Tatsuya Imai's unacceptable start on Friday before previewing Brown's return to a big league mound.

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Cristian Javier looked great in his second minor-league rehab start. Hunter Brown made his final one on Wednesday. What will the Astros do when both are back? Tyler Stafford and The Athletic’s Chandler Rome discuss the dilemma during the first ever live edition of Crush City Territory. The duo answers listener questions about Lance McCullers Jr, the trade deadline and Jeremy Peña's future.

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Astros general manager Dana Brown said the team has had "zero conversations" about trading AL MVP favorite Yordan Alvarez — and he doesn't believe the Astros will be selling at all by Aug. 3. Former Astros outfielder Josh Reddick joins Tyler Stafford and The Athletic's Chandler Rome to discuss Brown's comments, the trade speculation surrounding Alvarez and Jeremy Peña and how Houston may handle their catching position upon Yainer Diaz's return.

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Jose Altuve's return from the injured list made the Astros' lineup whole again — and helped to kickstart a series win against the division rival A's. Tyler Stafford and The Athletic's Chandler Rome break down the series win, what Altuve's return means for a run of soft spot of their schedule and how they might address Mike Burrows' continued problems in the starting rotation. 

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Eight games under .500 and seeking a spark, the Astros shook up their struggling outfield by signing LaMonte Wade Jr. and sending Joey Loperfido to Triple-A Sugar Land. Tyler Stafford and The Athletic's Chandler Rome discuss Wade's arrival and the decision to demote Loperfido before revisiting some missed opportunities this winter to solidify the outfield. The two then discuss whether slugger Yordan Alvarez is the new MVP favorite in the wake of Aaron Judge's rib fracture.

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Down to their final four outs — and staring at 98 percent odds to lose — the Houston Astros authored the most improbable comeback of their imperfect season, scoring six two-out runs in the eighth inning to stun the Pittsburgh Pirates at Daikin Park. Tyler Stafford and The Athletic's Chandler Rome discuss the wild comeback, Cam Smith's heroics, Josh Hader's much-anticipated return and whether a win like this can springboard a team that's been teetering all season.

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