How Astros efforts to extend championship window just took a big step forward

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How Astros efforts to extend championship window just took a big step forward
The future is bright for the Astros. Composite Getty Image.

The Houston Astros championship window has seemingly been a big topic of conversation for the last five years. Which is fitting for a team that's appeared in the ALCS for seven straight years.

This upcoming offseason could be a tipping point, however, as Alex Bregman and Justin Verlander could sign elsewhere in free agency. Leaving only Jose Altuve and Lance McCullers still on the roster from the first championship team in 2017.

But all hope isn't lost. The Astros find a way to reload every season, and we're watching prospects the Astros developed turn into top-notch major league players.

Hunter Brown and Spencer Arrighetti are showing signs that they can be front of the rotation starters for years to come. And Yainer Diaz looks like one of the best young hitters in baseball.

Throw in the fact that the AL West is the worst division in MLB, and you have to like Houston's chances in 2025 no matter how this season ends.

At the very least, you're looking at a 2025 starting rotation of Framber Valdez, Hunter Brown, Ronel Blanco, Spencer Arrighetti, and hopefully Luis Garcia. We'll see about McCullers. It's hard to count on him since he hasn't pitched in two seasons.

So the pitching is beyond solid for next year, but we'll have to see about the offense. If owner Jim Crane decides to let Bregman walk, will they look to add another bat in free agency?

Be sure to watch the video above as we examine the Astros championship window, and discuss some free agents the club may target, like Orioles' slugger Anthony Santander.

Catch our weekly Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast. Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo discuss varied Astros topics. The first post for the week generally goes up Monday afternoon (second part released Tuesday) via The SportsMap HOU YouTube channel or listen to episodes in their entirety at Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

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Texans defeat the Bears, 19-13. Composite Getty Image.

C.J. Stroud threw for 260 yards and a touchdown and Ka′imi Fairbairn kicked four field goals to help the Houston Texans top the Chicago Bears 19-13 on Sunday night.

Fairbairn connected from 56, 47, 59 and 53 yards, and Houston's defense put heavy pressure on Caleb Williams for much of the game.

Stroud’s 28-yard scoring pass to Nico Collins put Houston up 10-3 early in the second quarter, and the Texans led 16-10 at halftime.

Houston (2-0) had trouble moving the ball in the second half and managed only a field goal, but its defense intercepted Williams twice to secure the victory.

Williams, the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft, was 23 of 37 for 174 yards. He was sacked seven times.

Houston’s Cam Akers fumbled on the Chicago 4 with about 6½ minutes left, and the Bears (1-1) recovered. Cairo Santos made a 54-yard field goal to make it 19-13 with 2:51 left.

The Texans couldn’t get anything going on their next drive and punted with about 90 seconds left. But Williams was sacked by Danielle Hunter on second down and his fourth-down pass fell incomplete to allow Houston to run out the clock.

Collins had 135 yards receiving for a second straight 100-yard game to power the offense in a game where Joe Mixon left briefly with an ankle injury. He managed just 25 yards rushing after he led the NFL with 159 yards rushing last weekend in his Houston debut.

Neither team scored in the second half until Houston extended the lead to 19-10 with a 53-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter. That score was set up when Williams was hit as he threw and was intercepted by Derek Stingley.

On Chicago’s second play of the next drive Williams escaped a sack only to throw another interception. This time he was picked off by rookie Kamari Lassiter, a second-round pick from Georgia.

The Texans went in front for good on Collins' TD reception on the first play of the second quarter. That play came after he was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct on the previous play for pushing his hand into Tyrique Stevenson’s face after the cornerback back put his hands in Collins’ face.

The Texans made it 13-3 with a 47-yard field goal on their next possession. Stroud had a stellar throw on the drive, finding Collins for an 18-yard gain on the run despite taking a hit as he threw.

A 2-yard scoring run by Khalil Herbert just before halftime cut Houston's lead to 13-10. It was the first touchdown on offense for the Bears this season after they failed to score any last week. The score was set up by a pass interference call on rookie Calen Bullock that gave the Bears a first down at the 6.

A 59-yard field goal by Fairbairn made it 16-10 at halftime.

Be sure to watch the video above as the crew from Texans on Tap reacts live to the Texans win over the Bears on YouTube!

Injuries

Bears: DL Zacch Pickens left in the second half with a groin injury. … WR Keenan Allen was inactive with a heel injury.

Up next

Bears: Visit Indianapolis next Sunday.

Texans: Visit Vikings next Sunday.

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