Astros' Outlook
Luhnow: I think Gerrit Cole is going to have a career year
Feb 19, 2018, 12:33 pm
The Astros are hoping for a big year from Gerrit Cole. Houston Astros/Facebook
Originally appeared on espn975.com
Astros’ GM Jeff Luhnow joined ESPN 97.5's John Granato from Spring Training and talked about his favorite moments after winning the World Series, how he will attempt to keep as many core players as he can, why he thinks the amount of home runs Gerrit Cole gave up last year was an anomaly, how the Astros use technology to help them scout players and teams, and much more.
You can hear the entire segment below. This really is a fantastic interview, so make sure you give it a listen. You can catch Granato and Raheel with Del weekdays from 9:30am-11am on ESPN 97.5 radio. You can listen live or on demand with the ESPN 97.5 radio app. Click here to listen to the interview in its entirety.
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Astros get just enough but lose a key contributor late
Jun 12, 2025, 11:22 pm
NFL analyst Albert Breer isn’t buying the quiet offseason surrounding the Houston Texans. In his view, the buzz — or lack of it — isn’t reflective of what this team actually is: a legitimate AFC contender that should be taken seriously in 2025.
Much of the skepticism, Breer believes, comes from surface-level narratives. The Texans went 10-7 in the regular season last year, a step back from the lofty expectations set after C.J. Stroud’s electric rookie year and Houston’s dramatic playoff push. And while the offense didn’t maintain its early-season explosion under Bobby Slowik, people seem to be overlooking how that same Texans team ended the year: as one of the last four teams standing in the AFC — alongside the Chiefs, Bills, and Ravens.
In Breer’s eyes, Houston belongs in that group. The defense is championship-caliber, with rising stars and playmakers at every level. And offensively, the switch to Nick Caley as offensive coordinator could be just what the unit needs. Caley brings a fresh voice and perspective, and paired with a fully settled-in Stroud, the Texans are well-positioned to take another leap forward.
One moment Breer points to as underrated: Houston’s Divisional Round game against Kansas City at Arrowhead. While most remember the Texans bowing out of the playoffs there, many forget they were trailing by just one point going into the fourth quarter — toe-to-toe with the defending Super Bowl champs in one of the toughest environments in football.
The Texans’ current win total is set at 9.5 by oddsmakers — a line Breer believes is too low. His expectation? Twelve wins and another deep playoff run. To him, the narrative that Houston is being “slept on” will disappear soon enough — likely around the time the Texans remind everyone why they’re still a problem in the AFC.
You can watch the video below for the full conversation.
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