The champs are 1-0. Is your team? Eagles.com
Week 1 is in the books guys (well, not Monday night, but that's on them). To everyone who is now 1-0, CONGRATS! Welcome to the winner's circle. There's this thing I like to call Victory Monday. Some of us make it, others barely experience the glorious feeling of calling in to work just because you're a freaking WINNER. (Not that myself or any fellow Eagles fans that I know do this). How did I grade your team this week? Check out these select games:
EAGLES vs FALCONS
How does it feel to be 0-1? I wouldn't know because the Eagles officially own the Falcons of Atlanta. I think it's time Atlanta changes their team slogan... It's a bit cliche these days since they can't seem to "rise up" when needed.
VIKINGS vs 49ERS
How does $74 mil look? Looks like interceptions and incomplete passes. 1 TD doesn't look good when it sits next to 3 interceptions. What did we learn today guys? Porn stars and fake boobs lie, they don't guarantee wins.
JAGS vs GIANTS
Let's take a moment to appreciate Blake Bortles and the accuracy between him and his favorite target, the ground. Bortles completed 7 of 9 passes to only god knows who. Thankfully defenses win games and Jacksonville has some damn good D.
STEELERS vs BROWNS
This is the game that never ends... The worst part about it all? Besides Conner's hair? Neither team could finish. How do you end Week 1 in a tie?! This game was a dragged out, sloppy mess.
TEXANS vs PATRIOTS
Lets all give it up for OBrien going back to his basic b- play calling. How many seasons in a row now is it that the Texans actually almost had a shot at beating Brady but fell short because of awful play calling and time management? I'd hate to be a Houston fan.
BILLS vs RAVENS
Did anyone really watch this? @ me if you did.
DOLPHINS vs TITANS
Let's just agree that the lightning storm was more exciting than this game.
SAINTS vs BUCS
Want to see a magic show? The Saints defense disappeared again. Congrats New Orleans, you managed to make Fitzpatrick an automatic MVP candidate earning YOU my garbage team of the week. Take it back to the film room boys.
For more of my NFL recaps, gambling or just fun smack talk you can check out my website at holly.football and follow my on Twitter @xoholly.
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After riding high from a statement sweep of the Dodgers, the Astros limped into the All-Star break, having lost five of their last six games, including two of three to the rival Rangers. They still hold a five-game lead in the American League West, but the momentum they carried into July has cooled considerably.
While it’s tempting to point to the battered lineup as the reason for Houston’s recent struggles, the more pressing issue has been on the mound. For much of the season, elite pitching has masked an offense operating in the league’s bottom third. But during this six-game slide, the script flipped. Over the last seven days, Houston ranks 24th in team ERA at 5.37. The offense hasn’t been great either, 20th in runs, 22nd in OPS, 23rd in batting average, but those numbers aren’t that far off their season-long identity. The difference is that the pitching has stopped bailing them out.
The good news? Help may be (somewhat) on the way.
Astros GM Dana Brown recently provided updates on three key contributors. Shortstop Jeremy Peña isn’t expected back immediately after the break, but Brown said it shouldn’t be long before he returns from a fractured rib. Yordan Alvarez, meanwhile, is progressing well from his hand injury. According to Brown, Alvarez has “absolutely no pain” and will be re-evaluated Thursday. If cleared to swing, the Astros plan to expedite his return. Center fielder Jake Meyers, however, remains at least three weeks away as he recovers from a calf injury.
On the pitching front, expectations for late-season contributions from Cristian Javier and Luis Garcia remain uncertain. Both pitchers have thrown rehab starts recently in the Florida Complex League. Garcia has now been out for over two years following Tommy John surgery. If he’s not able to return this season, serious questions will need to be asked about his long-term outlook. Javier, also rehabbing from Tommy John, may be an option in August, but expectations should be tempered. As Brown himself has admitted, he tends to be optimistic. Fans would be wise to stay grounded.
Another arm to watch is Spencer Arrighetti. With no major injury (thumb) holding him back, Arrighetti may be Houston’s most viable rotation boost in the second half.
Fortunately, the schedule sets up favorably after the break. Over the next seven series, the Astros face four sub-.500 teams. But that doesn’t mean anything is guaranteed, especially if current trends continue.
Lance McCullers remains an enigma. When he’s locked in, he gives Houston a legitimate No. 3-caliber arm. When he’s off, he’s out of the game early and the bullpen pays the price. Manager Joe Espada faces one of his toughest managing challenges every time McCullers takes the hill.
Cam Smith has cooled off at the plate, hitless in his last 11 at-bats. He’s also been bounced all over the batting order. A simple solution? Plant him in the cleanup spot and let him adjust without the added mental shuffle.
And then there’s Josh Hader. The All-Star closer has surrendered home runs in three of his last four outings. If Houston is going to continue winning tight games with a low-margin offense, Hader has to be lights-out. His dominance alongside a top-tier setup man (Bryan Abreu) has been a pillar of the Astros’ success model this season. They need that foundation to hold.
The Astros aren’t panicking — nor should they. But after a hot run turned lukewarm, the margin for error is shrinking. The second half opens with an opportunity to bank wins and regain rhythm. Whether Houston capitalizes depends on health, consistency, and maybe a little creativity from the front office.
There's so much more to discuss! 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.
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