Carlos Correa had the best case. Composite image by Jack Brame.
Baseball Is a Funny Game was a book written by the late player then broadcaster Joe Garagiola. He was right. How else to explain the Astros ripping off an 11 game winning streak, and then just days later getting swept out of Minute Maid Park by the pathetic Baltimore Orioles? That had the Astros hit the midpoint of the 162 game regular season schedule at 48-33. Offered 48-33 before Opening Day the Astros would gladly have locked it in. Matching that record in the second half would make for 96 wins (duh), almost certainly at least a Wild Card spot and probably the American League West title.
The Midsummer Classic
As voted by the fans, it's zero All Star Game starters for the Astros. It's the first time that's happened since 2014. That was the last bad Astros team. Still, while the 2021 Astros are quite good, nobody was "snubbed." Carlos Correa had the best case to start, in fact on the merits he is the most deserving American League shortstop. However, Xander Bogaerts of the Red Sox is also having a huge season making him a reasonable choice. Likewise at second base Jose Altuve would have been a fine pick, but the Blue Jays' Marcus Semien has been a little bit better.
At 37 years old Yuli Gurriel would be a worthy first time All Star at first base, but that likely requires the AL going with at least three first basemen because fan pick Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is the obvious right guy to start, with Oakland's Matt Olson the second best at first in the AL to this point. The injured Mike Trout won't be playing, so it's possible Michael Brantley could be added as a reserve outfielder and elevated to the starting lineup. Designated hitter Yordan Alvarez has not been up to his Rookie of the Year level (darn near impossible) but is having a fine season. Alas not close to as good as fan choice Shohei Ohtani, and not as good as J.D. Martinez and Nelson Cruz.
The All Star reserves and pitchers are named Sunday night. Closer Ryan Pressly deserves a spot. Since starting his season Framber Valdez has pitched like a Cy Young candidate, but not starting his season until Memorial Day weekend functionally disqualifies him. Zack Greinke is having a very solid season, but not of All Star quality, unless he is tapped to fill a spot opened up by injuries to several would be All Star hurlers.
After his grand slam Thursday night Altuve enters the weekend as the Astros' home run leader with 18. Correa has 15, Alvarez connected Thursday for his 14th. Kyle Tucker has hit 13. Who do you think leads at season's end?
NBA playoffs
What an injury ravaged NBA postseason it has been. Currently, the best player on the Bucks and Hawks are both sidelined from their Eastern Conference Finals matchup. Kawhi Leonard missed the entire Western Conference Finals. In prior rounds Anthony Davis, James Harden, Kyrie Irving, and Mike Conley all broke down. That list doesn't include Ben Simmons who was shattered mentally.
Meanwhile Chris Paul stands healthy and tall, and in his 16th pro season is finally to play in the NBA Finals. How thankful is Paul that James Harden demanded the Rockets get rid of Paul two summers ago? After a one season stopover in Oklahoma City Paul has the Phoenix Suns in the Finals for the first time since 1993, while the Rockets count the days until the Draft hoping to jumpstart a makeover of what was the worst team in the NBA this season. The Suns have never won the championship. They wait on the Bucks or Hawks. Milwaukee last played for the title in 1974. Atlanta has never been in the Finals.
If the Bucks close out the Hawks in game six Saturday night, it will mark the end of the legendary broadcast career of Marv Albert. Here's hoping Marv gets a game seven on which to go out.
Have an excellent and safe July 4 weekend.
Buzzer Beaters:
1. With all due respect to Dusty Baker, it's flat out silly to EVER bat an Abraham Toro or Robel Garcia second in the same lineup that has Yordan Alvarez and Kyle Tucker slotted fifth and sixth.
2. What a punk out playoff exit by Patrick Beverley.
3. Funniest baseball books: Bronze-Ron Luciano, The Umpire Strikes Back Silver-Sparky Lyle, The Bronx Zoo Gold-Bob Uecker, Catcher in the Wry.
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How Houston Rockets hold the cards for a franchise-changing summer
May 8, 2025, 5:45 pm
In Houston, the winning standard has been set so high that anything short of World Series contention now feels like failure. And yet, the 2025 Astros find themselves at an unfamiliar crossroads—caught between the fading brilliance of past stars and the uncertain promise of what comes next.
Jose Altuve is at the center of this issue. His early struggles (-0.5 WAR) may indicate more than just a temporary slump. And when he swung at the first pitch after Lance McCullers had just endured a grueling 33-pitch inning on Sunday, it raised a bigger question: who has the influence to talk to Altuve?
The Astros’ culture has long been praised for its accountability, but who inside the clubhouse has the standing to challenge or counsel Altuve or other vets when needed? With so many veteran voices gone, there’s a growing sense that no one does—and that’s a problem. That’s why the idea of bringing back Michael Brantley—not as a player, but as a respected voice—could make some sense. Brantley was always viewed as a quiet leader, and his presence could restore some of the guidance this roster desperately needs.
Batter up?
While the Astros have built a reputation for reviving pitchers' careers, their track record with hitters is far less impressive. There are few, if any, examples of a bat joining Houston and unlocking a new level. That failure in development becomes especially stark when considering how much they’re currently leaning on homegrown youth.
Which brings us to Zach Dezenzo. The 24-year-old rookie is showing he belongs—his .737 OPS makes him one of the more productive bats in a lineup that desperately needs stability while Yordan Alvarez nurses an injury. While Victor Caratini provides the Astros with the ability to switch hit, he's hitting just .217. Dezenzo should be starting every day in left, with Yordan out. Jose Altuve, who has already played too many innings this year, should be shifted to DH duties to ease his physical burden. The Astros should go with Cam Smith in right and keep Jake Meyers in center to round out the outfield.
GM Dana Brown has made clear that he views Dezenzo as a first baseman or left fielder for the future. So why not get him in the lineup while Yordan's out and see what he can do with consistent playing time?
Of course, losing Yordan Alvarez is always going to hurt. But the numbers tell a surprising story. Yordan currently holds a -0.4 WAR, right there alongside Altuve and Christian Walker as the only Astros with negative marks. On paper, the team hasn’t lost much production. But let’s not kid ourselves—Yordan’s mere presence alters how opponents pitch to this team. The lineup without him lacks fear factor, and the margins get razor-thin.
Speaking of margins, one move that may haunt this front office is the decision to sign Christian Walker. The veteran first baseman is hitting just .205 with a .617 OPS—far below the level expected from a player earning $20 million annually through 2027. Compare that to Jon Singleton, who posted better numbers in 2024 and currently boasts an .880 OPS in Triple-A with the Mets organization. Walker's defense is strong, but it's hard to argue that justifies the price tag. Singleton might not be a Gold Glover, or anything close, but he came much cheaper and was quietly more productive with the bat.
No regrets?
There’s also a broader question looming: if fans had known that Altuve’s massive contract extension would potentially cost the team the ability to re-sign current MVP candidates Kyle Tucker and Alex Bregman, would they still have supported the deal? Hindsight is cruel, but with Altuve’s decline and Tucker and Bregman thriving, it’s a fair debate. Houston might have paid for the past instead of securing its future.
Big deals on the horizon?
All eyes now turn to owner Jim Crane. This winter, Houston's payroll will have considerable room to maneuver. But will Crane commit to restocking the lineup with All-Star-caliber bats, or will his reluctance to offer long-term deals keep the Astros stuck in a holding pattern? It’s one thing to let players walk. It’s another to fail to replace them.
The Astros still have the bones of a contender, but the road back to dominance is getting steeper. The team can’t simply rely on what used to work. It’s time for difficult conversations, bold lineup changes, and a rethinking of how this organization develops—and retains—offensive talent.
We have so much more to get to. Don't miss the video below as we examine the topics above and much, much more!
The MLB season is finally upon us! Join Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo for the Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast which drops each Monday afternoon, with an additional episode now on Thursday!
*ChatGPT assisted.
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