JEALOUS MUCH?

It sure looks like the Houston Astros World Series broke the media

It sure looks like the Houston Astros World Series broke the media
The national media can't help themselves when it comes to the Astros. Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images

Barely two weeks after the Houston Astros drew millions (upon hundreds of thousands) to a downtown victory parade, ESPN’s Jeff Passan posted an exclusive, “behind-the-scenes” look Tuesday at the “turmoil” surrounding the Astros.

Passan said there was confusion and disarray – from players to coaches to the front office – trying to figure out what was going on with the, oh yeah, World Series champions.

Passan described the Astros organization as “chaotic,” filled with intrigue with one “Hall of Fame advisor with a reputation for yelling at people” and others questioning the direction of team leadership. Bottom line: the Astros were in crisis in 2022.

“Is the team that reached six American League Championship Series, four World Series and won a pair of championships in the last half-dozen seasons really considering pivoting from the analytics-heavy approach that built the team into a monster? Without (James) Click, who will shepherd the team forward? And is the answer to that question perhaps the person (owner Jim Crane) already at the center of the front-office dysfunction?”

What the hell is this guy talking about?

Of course the Astros have decisions to make to stay on top in 2023 and beyond. But they’re first place problems. There are 29 other MLB teams that wished they were as dysfunctional as the Houston Astros.

Nothing succeeds like success, and the person at the center of the Astros alleged dysfunction seems to be making all the right moves.

“Analytics-heavy approach?” Take a look at Dusty Baker in the Astros dugout. How often do you see him hypnotized staring at an iPad Pro? Wasn’t that cranky fan’s complaint, that Baker made some perplexing decisions based on his gut instead of Click’s algorithms? The Astros won 106 regular-season games and roared through the post-season taking no prisoners.

If that’s turmoil – give me turmoil

Obviously there were conflicts between general manager Click and owner Crane. And now Click is gone. This isn’t the first time a boss extended best wishes to a former employee in their future endeavors. That’s just what a MLB general manager is, an employee. While this is the first time in almost 75 years that the GM of a World Series champion was shown the door, it happened this time.

Squabbles happen in the workplace. Not everybody likes their boss. Did Passan like Mr. ESPN when he apologized for a snarky off-color remark he made about MLB owners on a company podcast? Did Pam Beesly like Michael Scott when she found out he was dating her mother – and he promised to continue dating her “even harder?” This is why we have HR departments.

Sometimes it’s better for both parties when the employee, even a high-up general manager, moves on to a place where he or she (Miami has a female gm, Kim Ng, the first) is more comfortable.

Do not worry for Click. He will be snapped up by a team before teams head to spring training. He’s highly respected and has a track record of winning.

And absolutely do not cry for the Astros. They are loaded now with tens of millions to spare for free agents. What veteran wouldn’t want to play for the Astros where they can capture a World Series ring and play for an owner willing to spend money, with an experienced players-manager, supported by adoring fans in a beautiful air conditioned ballpark in a state with no income tax?

This is a team that lost All-Stars Gerrit Cole, George Springer, Carlos Correa, Charlie Morton and other starters in recent years and just won the World Series. The said goodbye to a shortstop who wanted $35 million a year, replaced him with a 24-year-old rookie (not a kid, he just looks like one) who played barely more than one season’s worth of minor league ball and wound up winning the World Series MVP, a Gold Glove and a shift working the drive-thru window at Raising Cane’s.

The Astros have an excellent promotions department, comparatively reasonable ticket prices, food that gets better every year, close-by street parking, and a terrific broadcast crew.

And a tight-knit group of players who are running out of fingers for championship rings.

Yeah, turmoil.

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The Texans can make a statement with a win against Detroit!Composite Getty Image.

Sunday night matchups don't get much exciting than this, as the Houston Texans host the Detroit Lions in prime-time at NRG.

The Lions come into this game on a six-game winning streak looking every bit of the best team in football. Houston on the other hand has lost two of their last three games with a struggling offense unable to protect their quarterback.

CJ Stroud has only one passing touchdown over this span, and is clearly having trouble adjusting to life without Stefon Diggs and Nico Collins.

If Houston is going to come away with an upset victory, they will need big performances from Tank Dell and Joe Mixon. After catching 4 passes against the Colts two weeks ago, Mixon not only failed to catch a single pass against the Jets, but he wasn't even targeted.

Considering the Texans' offensive line issues, choosing not to use Mixon as a pass catcher is hard to fathom. Especially since he and Dell are the team's top 2 playmakers.

What's working in the Texans' favor?

They play this game at home, where they are undefeated this season. A lot of the team's protection issues have popped up on the road, so communication should be easier for the offense on their home turf.

Bulls on Parade

We have good news and bad news about the defense this week. On the positive side, Azeez Al-Shaair and Jimmy Ward have returned to practice. If they're able to contribute on Sunday night, that would give the defense a lift.

And now for the bad news. Will Anderson has yet to practice this week after rolling his ankle in the Jets game. If he is unable to practice on Friday, it's hard to imagine he'll be active against Detroit.

X-factors

The Texans have to show some improvement on the offensive line this week.

Houston must lean on Joe Mixon again, as Nico Collins isn't expected to play.

Lions' Amon-Ra St. Brown is one of the best receivers in the league, and he does most of his damage from the slot. If the Texans continue to deploy Jalen Pitre against premier receivers in man coverage, St. Brown is going to light up the scoreboard.

What would a win over the Lions mean to Houston?

The Texans are no longer considered a true championship contender because of their losses to the Packers, Vikings, and Jets. In fact, the Bills are the only team with a winning record that the Texans have beaten.

An upset win over the streaking Lions would change that narrative.

What does Vegas think?

The Lions are currently favored by 3.5 and the total is set at 49 points.

Don't miss the full preview of Texans-Lions in the video above!


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Fans of Houston sports and Houston food can now score tickets to The Tailgate, CultureMap's all-out party devoted to everyone’s favorite way to get in the gameday spirit. The event, presented by Verizon, goes down from 6-9 pm November 11 at 8th Wonder. Tickets are $75 for VIP and $50 for General Admission. For a limited time, we’re giving you $10 off; use code SPORTSMAP at checkout. Get your tickets now!

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