Opening Day is here and the 2026 Astros have a lot to prove after missing the playoffs last season. Tyler Stafford and The Athletic's Chandler Rome discuss Houston's new-look starting rotation, the questions surrounding its lineup and the pressure on both general manager Dana Brown and manager Joe Espada — each of whom is in the last year of his contract.

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Opening Day is here and the 2026 Astros have a lot to prove after missing the playoffs last season. Tyler Stafford and The Athletic's Chandler Rome discuss Houston's new-look starting rotation, the questions surrounding its lineup and the pressure on both general manager Dana Brown and manager Joe Espada &mdash; each of whom is in the last year of his contract.
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>
Use our code&nbsp;TERRITORY10 for 10% off your next SeatGeek order* <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

Previewing The 2026 Astros: Predictions, Pivotal Players and Pressure To Win

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/869b259c-4f66-4c8a-ac5a-b41800404c8d/transcript

The Astros start their first road trip of the season with good news: shortstop Jeremy Peña will resume playing back-to-back days. What does that mean for Isaac Paredes? Tyler Stafford and The Athletic's Chandler Rome discuss the Astros' overcrowded infield, where Paredes fits in to the plans and how Yordan Alvarez playing left field could help to solve the problems.

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The Astros start their first road trip of the season with good news: shortstop Jeremy Pe&ntilde;a will resume playing back-to-back days. What does that mean for Isaac Paredes? Tyler Stafford and The Athletic's Chandler Rome discuss the Astros' overcrowded infield, where Paredes fits in to the plans and how Yordan Alvarez playing left field could help to solve the problems.
Start your 7-day free trial today at&nbsp;<a href="https://foxone.com">FOXOne.com</a>

Everyday Peña Is Back — But What About the Rest of the Astros Infield?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/8388176a-4b4a-49be-98ed-b42101068276/transcript

The Astros made an early-season statement by sweeping the Boston Red Sox in three games at Daikin Park. Tyler Stafford and The Athletic's Chandler Rome discuss the performances from Yordan Alvarez, Carlos Correa and Jose Altuve; Lance McCullers Jr.'s dominant return to the starting rotation and the new, patient approach Houston's lineup is exhibiting. 

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The Astros made an early-season statement by sweeping the Boston Red Sox in three games at Daikin Park. Tyler Stafford and The Athletic's Chandler Rome discuss the performances from Yordan Alvarez, Carlos Correa and Jose Altuve; Lance McCullers Jr.'s dominant return to the starting rotation and the new, patient approach Houston's lineup is exhibiting.&nbsp;
Get 10% off your first month of BlueChew Gold with code FOUL at <a href="http://bluechew.com">BlueChew.com</a>

Altuve Ignites, McCullers Deals, Correa Closes: Astros Sweep Boston

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/9e3e071b-636a-47f3-a272-b42000071940/transcript

The Astros walked a franchise-record 28 batters and saw their four starters post a 7.64 ERA ... and somehow salvaged a season-opening split against the Angels. Tyler Stafford and The Athletic's Chandler Rome discuss the inauspicious debuts for Mike Burrows, Cristian Javier and Tatsuya Imai, some encouraging signs from Houston's lineup and what to think of closer Bryan Abreu's difficult weekend. 

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

The Astros walked a franchise-record 28 batters and saw their four starters post a 7.64 ERA ... and somehow salvaged a season-opening split against the Angels. Tyler Stafford and The Athletic's Chandler Rome discuss the inauspicious debuts for Mike Burrows, Cristian Javier and Tatsuya Imai, some encouraging signs from Houston's lineup and what to think of closer Bryan Abreu's difficult weekend.&nbsp;
Enjoy 50% off for life plus Free Shipping AND 3 Free Gifts at <a href="http://mengotomars.com">MenGoToMars.com</a>
Use our code&nbsp;TERRITORY10 for 10% off your next SeatGeek order* <a href="https://seatgeek.onelink.me/RrnK/TERRITORY10">seatgeek.onelink.me/RrnK/TERRITORY10</a> Sponsored by SeatGeek. *Restrictions apply. Max $20 discount

Split Decisions: Astros Flash Offense, Search for Pitching Early

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/5f0db7ef-413f-4993-8dc3-b41d00117a49/transcript

Previewing The 2026 Astros: Predictions, Pivotal Players and Pressure To Win

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Crush City Territory: A Houston Astros Podcast

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