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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Tatsuya Imai's enigmatic season continued with another clunker against the Minnesota Twins. Cristian Javier is making his long-awaited return &mdash; 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.
🌶️
Use our code for 10% off your next order of MLB tickets on SeatGeek*: <a href="https://seatgeek.onelink.me/RrnK/TERRITORY10">seatgeek.onelink.me/RrnK/TERRITORY10</a> Sponsored by SeatGeek. *Restrictions apply. Max $20 discount

A Houston Astros show podcast by The Athletic beat reporter Chandler Rome, former Astros outfielder Josh Reddick and Tyler Stafford. Crush City Territory brings you inside info and analysis on the 'Stros all year long. CCT is part of the Foul Territory Network: Baseball the way it should be covered!

Crush City Territory: A Houston Astros Podcast

Javier Returns, Imai Wobbles, Trade Rumors Swirl 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/91dcb634-f0d6-4d77-a263-b47b016697fa/transcript

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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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.&nbsp;
🌶️
Use our code for 10% off your next order of MLB tickets on SeatGeek*: <a href="https://seatgeek.onelink.me/RrnK/TERRITORY10">https://seatgeek.onelink.me/RrnK/TERRITORY10</a> Sponsored by SeatGeek. *Restrictions apply. Max $20 discount

Astros Trade Talk: What's the Biggest Need? 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/f231d850-b91e-4ef4-870d-b47c01046167/transcript

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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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 Pe&ntilde;a'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 <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7406438/2026/07/01/tatsuya-imai-astros-clubhouse/?source=emp_shared_article&amp;unlocked_article_code=1.uVA.N15U.JVhfaY7VV1J3&amp;source=athletic_user_shared_gift_article_copylink&amp;smid=url-share-ta">here</a>.
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The MVP Front-Runner: Yordan's Biggest Swing Yet

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/6cdf9e4e-9c8c-47a0-8caa-b47a0115d653/transcript

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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Use our code for 10% off your next order of MLB tickets on SeatGeek*: seatgeek.onelink.me/RrnK/TERRITORY10 Sponsored by SeatGeek. *Restrictions apply. Max $20 discount

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.
🌶️
Use our code for 10% off your next order of MLB tickets on SeatGeek*: <a href="https://seatgeek.onelink.me/RrnK/TERRITORY10">seatgeek.onelink.me/RrnK/TERRITORY10</a> Sponsored by SeatGeek. *Restrictions apply. Max $20 discount

Five Straight: Astros' Month-Long Surge Has Them Rolling 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/56b1801b-4ce6-44f3-8717-b478001db7a3/transcript

Javier Returns, Imai Wobbles, Trade Rumors Swirl

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Crush City Territory: A Houston Astros Podcast

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