Much of what plagued the 2025 Astros was on display during the 2026 season-opener. Tyler Stafford and The Athletic's Chandler Rome discuss the Astros' deflating 3-0, Opening Day loss against the Los Angeles Angels. The duo analyzes Houston's disappointing offensive performance, Hunter Brown's uneven afternoon and AJ Blubaugh's eye-opening stint as a reliever.

Get 10 free meals and a FREE Zwilling Knife (a $144.99 value) on your third box at HelloFresh.com/FT10FM. Offer valid while supplies last. Free meals applied as a discount on first box, new subscribers only, varies by plan. 

Start your 7-day free trial today at FOXOne.com

Much of what plagued the 2025 Astros was on display during the 2026 season-opener. Tyler Stafford and The Athletic's Chandler Rome discuss the Astros' deflating 3-0, Opening Day loss against the Los Angeles Angels. The duo analyzes Houston's disappointing offensive performance, Hunter Brown's uneven afternoon and AJ Blubaugh's eye-opening stint as a reliever.
Get 10 free meals and a FREE Zwilling Knife (a $144.99 value) on your third box at&nbsp;<a href="https://hellofresh.com/FT10FM">HelloFresh.com/FT10FM</a>. Offer valid while supplies last. Free meals applied as a discount on first box, new subscribers only, varies by plan.&nbsp;
Start your 7-day free trial today at <a href="https://foxone.com">FOXOne.com</a>

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

Opening Day Letdown: Astros’ Bats Go Silent in 3-0 Loss

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/54b9aa5d-769f-45ae-81bd-b41a003188c1/transcript

The Astros are 11-19 and trying to stave off a total spiral. Fans are frustrated, curious and have questions. Tyler Stafford and The Athletic's Chandler Rome answer some of the best ones, including about Dana Brown's job security, Joe Espada's future, Tatsuya Imai's early-season struggles and possible trade talks to improve a roster in need of it.

To explore coverage, visit aspcapetinsurance.com/FOUL. The ASPCA® is not an insurer and is not engaged in the business of insurance.

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

The Astros are 11-19 and trying to stave off a total spiral. Fans are frustrated, curious and have questions. Tyler Stafford and The Athletic's Chandler Rome answer some of the best ones, including about Dana Brown's job security, Joe Espada's future, Tatsuya Imai's early-season struggles and possible trade talks to improve a roster in need of it.
To explore coverage, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aspcapetinsurance.com/FOUL">aspcapetinsurance.com/FOUL</a>. The ASPCA&reg; is not an insurer and is not engaged in the business of insurance.
Use our code for 10% off your next SeatGeek order*&nbsp;<a href="https://seatgeek.onelink.me/RrnK/TERRITORY10">seatgeek.onelink.me/RrnK/TERRITORY10</a> Sponsored by SeatGeek. *Restrictions apply. Max $20 discount

Astros Mailbag: Future Plans, Front Office Pressure & Tatsuya Imai's Status 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/9edf1aca-58ab-406f-a58e-b43b010726c4/transcript

The managerial carousel is already spinning, but Astros GM Dana Brown gave a vote of confidence to embattled manager Joe Espada amid Houston's 11-18 start. Tyler Stafford and The Athletic's Chandler Rome discuss Espada's status and Brown's comments before analyzing the team's series loss against the Yankees — including strong starts from Spencer Arrighetti and Mike Burrows along with a walk-filled showing from the bullpen.

The managerial carousel is already spinning, but Astros GM Dana Brown gave a vote of confidence to embattled manager Joe Espada amid Houston's 11-18 start. Tyler Stafford and The Athletic's Chandler Rome discuss Espada's status and Brown's comments before analyzing the team's series loss against the Yankees &mdash;&nbsp;including strong starts from Spencer Arrighetti and Mike Burrows along with a walk-filled showing from the bullpen.

Astros Stumble vs. Yankees as Dana Brown Backs Joe Espada

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/9d5b1cbe-ad48-441d-b618-b439002a4107/transcript

It's Aaron Judge against Yordan Alvarez at Daikin Park, perhaps an early preview for the AL MVP race. Former Astros outfielder Josh Reddick joins Tyler Stafford and The Athletic's Chandler Rome to discuss Judge's prowess, Alvarez's awesome start to the season, what could have been if Ben Rice had become an Astro and the Astros' disinterest in recently-signed Lucas Giolito.

If you like your money, Mint Mobile is for you. Plans start at $15/month at MintMobile.com/Territory 

Get up to $200 off Square hardware when you sign up at square.com/go/FOUL#squarepod

It's Aaron Judge against Yordan Alvarez at Daikin Park, perhaps an early preview for the AL MVP race. Former Astros outfielder Josh Reddick joins Tyler Stafford and The Athletic's Chandler Rome to discuss Judge's prowess, Alvarez's awesome start to the season, what could have been if Ben Rice had become an Astro and the Astros' disinterest in recently-signed Lucas Giolito.
If you like your money, Mint Mobile is for you. Plans start at $15/month at&nbsp;<a href="https://mintmobile.com/Territory">MintMobile.com/Territory</a>&nbsp;
Get up to $200 off Square hardware when you sign up at <a href="http://square.com/go/FOUL">square.com/go/FOUL</a> #squarepod

Lone Star Slugfest: Yordan vs. Judge at Daikin Park

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/ae05c318-12b0-4329-a8a6-b436002fee65/transcript

Opening Day Letdown: Astros’ Bats Go Silent in 3-0 Loss

In 1 playlist(s)

Crush City Territory: A Houston Astros Podcast

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips