Stone Cold Stros: A Houston Astros Podcast

What Altuve's extension signals for Astros

The Houston Astros extend superstar 2nd baseman Jose Altuve but what does that mean for other Astros players like Alex Bregman and Kyle Tucker?

Cause & intent: Intriguing implications of the Hader addition

Now that the dust has settled on the shocking Josh Hader acquisition, how does Houston intend to use their 7-8-9 relievers and how do they stack up to the legendary trio of Lidge-Dotel-Wagner?

SHOCKER: Hader to the H!

Reaction to free agent closer Josh Hader signing with Houston!

S1: Reaction: Joe Espada named manager | The optics were telling

S1 Ep48: Navigating a minefield in the hunt for Astros next manager | Dusty with some interesting remarks on the way out

S1 Ep47: Diary of a disastrous end | What's next for Houston in 2024?

Welp. That sucked. Brandon, Charlie, and Josh break down how it ended, final thoughts on this season, and look ahead to 2024.

S1 Ep46: The case for an unexpected shakeup | Was Dusty Baker right all along?

S1 Ep45: What to expect from the all-Texas ALCS! | Is Dusty the best Astros manager ever?

S1 Ep44: All eyes shift to these primetime players in ALDS slugfest | Astros make eye-opening front office moves

S1 Ep43: Did Dusty Baker tip his hand on postseason strategy? | Potential ALDS matchups

S1 Ep42: Season on life support | Realities of the tough final stretch

Astros are spiraling but still control their destiny. Who will be held accountable for the starting pitching implosion?

S1 Ep41: How wild division finish sets up for Astros over final pivotal stretch | Are the Dusty, Chas rumors impacting team morale?

Taking a look at how the AL West race shapes up in the final stretch. The Astros offense is clicking on cylinders but the results haven't been reflective of that. Is the fallout from WeightGate spilling into the locker room and team morale?

S1 Ep40: How red-hot offense stacks up with league’s best | How to navigate shaky rotation

The offense is clicking on all cylinders. How does it compare to the 2019 Astros and, more importantly, the 2023 Atlanta Braves? is there any way either Cristian Javier, Hunter Brown, or Jose Urquidy get a start over JP France in the postseason? We examine WeightGate and the benefits of banana pudding.

S1 Ep39: Aftermath of domination | Familiar pieces of a new offense | Crane's next big move?

The implications of the Astros beat down of the Rangers. The domino effect of Michael Brantley's return. Jim Crane may be seeking help to clean up a messy offseason.

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

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 Ep37: The excuses are getting Dusty during a division dogfight

Houston holds a players-only meeting after being swept by Seattle. The schedule becomes critically important as the Division and Wild Card race tighten. Can Houston's pitching be fixed this year?

S1 Ep36: New contenders have surfaced to challenge Astros postseason push

The Astros are rolling but so are the Rangers and a familiar division rival. Injury news is a mixed bag. New York media is already looking to smear Justin Verlander now that he's back in Houston.

S1 Ep35: Astros raise eyebrows with roster moves | Navigating the leaky bullpen

Houston has made some roster moves in response to a struggling offense, but is the order of Houston's lineup making a tough situation worse? How does Dusty Baker navigate a bullpen that has so many arms that are currently "unusable" in leverage situations?

Bonus: The return of Verlander!

The Houston Astros have traded for Justin Verlander at the deadline. Let's break it down!

S1 Ep34: Can Astros afford to counter Rangers' big moves? | Dusty's losing his patience with the media

Houston's division rivals have shoved their chips in the middle with some big trades. The Astros are finding the cost of poker very high on a short stack. Dusty Baker is losing his patience with the questions regarding his lineup and usage of Martin Maldonado and Yainer Diaz.

S1 Ep33: Positive steps for Javier, potential JV reunion, and King Tuck's kingdom

Cristian Javier has taken some nice steps in the right direction. Is he fixed? What about Framber? Is Justin Verlander's no-trade clause an advantage for Houston? How long will Houston be Kyle Tucker's kingdom?

S1 Ep32: Here are the Driving Forces FUELING Astros’ Offensive BREAKOUT!

S1 Ep31: Post All-Star Break Projections, Potential Call-Ups and Trades!

The Astros limped into the break with a series loss but the division lead is still within their grasp. This week Brandon, Charlie, and Josh bounce around what they learned in the first half of the season and who/what can potentially put them over the top in the second half.

S1 Ep30: Never-say-die on display | 2023 Mid-season awards!

What are the implications from the Lone Star Series? Who is the Astros mid-season Rookie of Year and mid-season MVP?

S1 Ep29: What's the future of Montero, Dusty Baker? | Here's who is saving the Astros right now!

After some bullpen implosions, the Astros have some tough decisions. How much falls on the GM to force Dusty Baker's hand? Good thing they are getting some critical help from some unexpected places!

S1 Ep28: The mystery of Astros season has turned into a “who did it?” and “who hasn’t”

Who's to blame for the Astros current slide? Do context clues indicate when Houston could turn it around?

S1 Ep27: How Astros first half could all hinge on this stretch (and a power struggle)

The most important things that need to break the Astros way to get back on track. Big D energy applies to 2 unlikely heroes. Is Dana Brown winning a leadership power struggle?

S1 Ep26: Bregman is breaking out, how Astros 1-2 punch stacks up, and are Rangers reality?

Alex Bregman bat just work up in a big way. How do Framber and Javier match against the AL's best rotations? Who are the bigger threat to the Astros: the Rays or Rangers?

S1 Ep25: Astros maximize their secret weapons, prove a playoff strength was not a fluke

Updates on Jose Urquidy and Lance McCullers. JP France and Brandon Beilak are pulling their weight.

S1 Ep24: 3 unlikely heroes, the infield puzzle, and some national media cope

On this week's episode: who's stepping up during this stretch. How do the Astros solve the Altuve-Abreu-Dubon puzzle? Let's feast on some tasty national media cope.