After an underwhelming trade deadline netted them only Daulton Varsho, the Astros are still searching for upgrades to their roster — specifically a right-handed hitting bench bat to give manager Joe Espada more flexibility late in games. Tyler Stafford and The Athletic's Chandler Rome discuss some potential candidates and why the Astros need them in the first place before analyzing the first two games of Houston's series against the San Diego Padres and the viability of Peter Lambert's success in the rotation

After an underwhelming trade deadline netted them only Daulton Varsho, the Astros are still searching for upgrades to their roster &mdash; specifically a right-handed hitting bench bat to give manager Joe Espada more flexibility late in games. Tyler Stafford and The Athletic's Chandler Rome discuss some potential candidates and why the Astros need them in the first place before analyzing the first two games of Houston's series against the San Diego Padres and the viability of Peter Lambert's success in the rotation

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

The Astros’ Post-Deadline Pursuit Continues

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/e2dbdbda-dbf8-4af2-ab00-b4a1013d4afd/transcript

Yordan Alvarez hit his 40th home run of the season on Thursday, becoming the fifth player in Astros history with a 40-homer season while reigniting the debate about his AL MVP candidacy. Tyler Stafford and The Athletic's Chandler Rome discuss Alvarez's status in the MVP race and where his 40 home runs rank in Astros history before reacting to the news that Carlos Correa will not return to the club this season.

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

Yordan Alvarez hit his 40th home run of the season on Thursday, becoming the fifth player in Astros history with a 40-homer season while reigniting the debate about his AL MVP candidacy. Tyler Stafford and The Athletic's Chandler Rome discuss Alvarez's status in the MVP race and where his 40 home runs rank in Astros history before reacting to the news that Carlos Correa will not return to the club this season.
Use our code for 10% off your next order of MLB tickets on SeatGeek*:&nbsp;<a href="https://seatgeek.onelink.me/RrnK/TERRITORY10">seatgeek.onelink.me/RrnK/TERRITORY10</a> Sponsored by SeatGeek. *Restrictions apply. Max $20 discount

40 Home Runs and Counting: Yordan’s MVP Case

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/9c89df18-2232-435e-b5e2-b4c900fd9840/transcript

Carlos Correa's potential return as a second baseman illustrates the complications presented by  Houston's roster construction. Those problems aren't going away, either, and it will be up to Houston's new general manager to solve them. Tyler Stafford and The Athletic's Chandler Rome discuss the biggest priority for whoever the Astros hire to be their GM — whether it is the aforementioned roster construction, thin farm system or simply knowing whether or not they have autonomy to make decisions.

Read Chandler's story about Carlos Correa and the Astros roster crunch here: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7595192/2026/09/15/carlos-correa-return-astros-gm-challenge/?unlocked_article_code=1.BVE.zuLK.j1OLLrIzStJM&source=emp_shared_article&smid=url-share-ta 

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Carlos Correa's potential return as a second baseman illustrates the complications presented by&nbsp; Houston's roster construction. Those problems aren't going away, either, and it will be up to Houston's new general manager to solve them. Tyler Stafford and The Athletic's Chandler Rome discuss the biggest priority for whoever the Astros hire to be their GM &mdash; whether it is the aforementioned roster construction, thin farm system or simply knowing whether or not they have autonomy to make decisions.
Read Chandler's story about Carlos Correa and the Astros roster crunch here: <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7595192/2026/09/15/carlos-correa-return-astros-gm-challenge/?unlocked_article_code=1.BVE.zuLK.j1OLLrIzStJM&amp;source=emp_shared_article&amp;smid=url-share-ta">https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7595192/2026/09/15/carlos-correa-return-astros-gm-challenge/?unlocked_article_code=1.BVE.zuLK.j1OLLrIzStJM&amp;source=emp_shared_article&amp;smid=url-share-ta</a>&nbsp;
Start your FOX One 3-day Free trial today at <a href="https://foxone.com">FOXOne.com</a>
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.
To get your new wireless plan for just 15 bucks a month, go to <a href="https://mintmobile.com/Territory">MintMobile.com/Territory</a>. That&rsquo;s it there&rsquo;s no catch.

What Should the Next Astros GM Fix First?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/0fb6449c-9872-400f-850f-b4c601375186/transcript

The Tampa Bay Rays, armed with the best record in the American League, outclassed the Astros in a series sweep at Tropicana Field that pared Houston's AL West lead to one game. Tyler Stafford and The Athletic's Chandler Rome discuss the three-game series, Yordan Alvarez's ankle-related absence, Jeremy Peña's continued struggles and manager Joe Espada's decision to not intentionally walk Junior Caminero in the series opener. The two then discuss the revelation that Carlos Correa could play second base upon his return to the team.

The Tampa Bay Rays, armed with the best record in the American League, outclassed the Astros in a series sweep at Tropicana Field that pared Houston's AL West lead to one game. Tyler Stafford and The Athletic's Chandler Rome discuss the three-game series, Yordan Alvarez's ankle-related absence, Jeremy Pe&ntilde;a's continued struggles and manager Joe Espada's decision to not intentionally walk Junior Caminero in the series opener. The two then discuss the revelation that Carlos Correa could play second base upon his return to the team.

Rays Sweep Astros and the Playoff Margin Gets Tighter

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/cc24bd30-d856-4864-9589-b4c5001f6792/transcript

The Astros’ Post-Deadline Pursuit Continues

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