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.

S1 Ep38: Astros still hold ace in the hole against new challengers to the crown

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With another Astros insider saying Joe Espada's hands are tied in the Jose Abreu situation, that only leaves so many voices to intervene and influence change. A player-led intervention could be one of the team's last hopes.

S2: Is a player intervention on the horizon?

Houston's pen takes its lumps and if they don't act now, then when? And the puppet masters start to take focus.

S2 Ep18: Why the response to bullpen struggles will be telling

After losing back-to-back series, Houston has a lot of tough questions to answer as they drift further from playoff contention.

S2 Ep17: Are Astros last hopes enough to repair foundational cracks?

Troubling setbacks for the pitching staff. Jose Abreu makes his controversial return to the team during a critical stretch. Is Houston playing their best players or chasing sunken cost? What's motivating Joe Espada's lineups?

S2 Ep16: Houston's path forward gets even more precarious

Kyle Tucker has become a one-man wrecking crew but the impending return of Jose Abreu has everyone asking "why?"

S1 Ep38: Astros still hold ace in the hole against new challengers to the crown

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