stylin and profilin
Fresh threads for the Texans: A closer look at Houston's revamped style
Apr 23, 2024, 10:33 am
stylin and profilin
The day has finally arrived! The Texans' new uniforms are shown below. In the first video below are the new Battle Red and Liberty White uniforms.
Below are the Texans' new Home and Color Rush uniforms.
In the final video below, Cal and Hannah McNair discuss the process of designing the new uniforms. They pull back the curtain at the Nike facility where all the magic happened.
A new look in Houston š¤#HTownMadeĀ pic.twitter.com/3dnAUl60YXĀ
ā Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) April 23, 2024
If you prefer not to watch the videos, you can see all uniforms in the images below.
Modern meets tradition š¤ pic.twitter.com/xW3D5QChn5Ā
ā Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) April 23, 2024
Ice bright as a neon light āļø pic.twitter.com/xUckVfYmpvĀ
ā Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) April 23, 2024
Bold for the battle š“ pic.twitter.com/2yOAWRoYVOĀ
ā Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) April 23, 2024
Ice so blue š„¶ pic.twitter.com/3nC5xglb6xĀ
ā Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) April 23, 2024
Details check š¬ pic.twitter.com/9m1xcxv8VXĀ
ā Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) April 23, 2024
The Astros returned from the All-Star break facing two pivotal turning points: a season-defining road series in Seattle and an increasingly hard-to-ignore situation at first base. And while their draft-day gamble on high school slugger Xavier Neyens speaks to long-term optimism, the questions swirling around Christian Walker feel far more immediate.
Houstonās decision to select Neyens 21st overall was a surprise to some, not because of his talent, but because of the organization's pressing need for bats in the upper minors. Still, those inside the draft room saw too much upside to pass on.
Considering the Astros reluctance to sign players long-term, he might be the Jeremy PeƱa or Isaac Paredes replacement down the road if Cam Smith stays in right field. The bat speed is elite, and the belief is heāll grow into real power.
Neyens, a 6-foot-4 shortstop projected to possibly shift to third base, may someday be a middle-of-the-lineup anchor. But in the near term, itās Houstonās lack of middle-of-the-lineup production at first base that casts a shadow over their playoff push.
Walker, acquired in hopes of stabilizing the position after JosĆ© Abreuās departure, has not delivered. Heās hitting .229 with a .660 OPS and has already been dropped to seventh in the lineup. With the Astros quietly monitoring alternatives, Jon Singleton, yes, that Jon Singleton, has reemerged as a name worth watching. The left-handed slugger has already hit four homers in 16 games for Sugar Land, posting an .850 OPS. Thatās not nothing, even if his career numbers donāt scream long-term fix. In a more typical scenario, the Astros could implement a platoon at first base. But Walker is actually hitting worse against left-handed pitching (.180).
Unless Singleton forces their hand by continuing to look like Babe Ruth in Sugar Land, theyāll likely keep riding with Walker. But the leash is shorter than it was.
The Astros cut ties with Abreu just 1.5 seasons into a 3-year contract. A similar timeline isnāt out of the question for Walker if things donāt turn around. Especially with free agency and trade deadlines presenting chances for Dana Brown to build in contingency plans.
In the meantime, Houstonās most important series of the season so far gets underway this Friday in Seattle, where the Mariners enter just five games back after bludgeoning the Tigers heading into the break. The Astrosā lead, once seven games, feels less secure with Yordan Alvarez, PeƱa, and Jake Meyers all still sidelined.
The good news: the Astros lead MLB in strikeouts and WHIP, and are TOP 5 in ERA. Their OPS over the past month is second in the league. The concern: Hunter Brown has been shaky in back-to-back starts, and the back of the rotation is a patchwork of question marks.
The Astros apparently have similar concerns about Brown, opting to give him more rest coming out of the All-Star break. He won't be pitching against the Mariners. MLB.com's Brian McTaggart is reporting that the Astros will start Brandon Walter on Friday, Lance McCullers on Saturday, and Framber Valdez on Sunday.
Astros rotation against Seattle:Ā
Friday: LHP Brandon Walter (1-2, 3.98)
Saturday: RHP Lance McCullers Jr. (2-4, 6.48)
Sunday: LHP Framber Valdez (10-4, 2.75)
ā Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) July 17, 2025
Big picture
A sweep in either direction would shift the momentum dramatically. But even a closely contested series could reveal more about where this roster stands, and whether first base remains a tolerated flaw or becomes an active problem.
For now, the Astros are winning enough to keep the conversation quiet. But the noise is building. And if Walker canāt find another gear soon, first base might again become a defining storyline for a team trying to hold off a charge in the West.
There's 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 āStros podcast which drops each Monday afternoon, with an additional episode now on Thursday.
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*ChatGPT assisted.
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