EVERY-THING SPORTS
Examining the parallels between the Texans and the media
Feb 9, 2022, 10:59 am
Neither get it right 100% of the time. Composite image by Brandon Strange.
The Texans have their next head coach in Lovie Smith. General manager Nick Caserio and Texans brass made the hire despite going through an exhausting process. Process. That word will come up a time or ten. I use the phrase "exhausting" because it felt like the longest time between David Culley's firing and Smith's hiring. Rumors and speculation ran a muck. Some fans were irritated. Others were patient. There are always the extremists who were either wildly furious about any & everything, or overly trusting of the organization thinking this will result in great success sooner than later.
The media did the best they could with what they had. Some got bad info from good sources and got roasted. Others got good info from good sources and were seen as conquering heroes. Either way, they did their jobs because they ran with info from their sources, put stories/reports out as they came, and drove conversation. Whether you agree or not, like it or not, it is what it is. This is the way sausage is made. It's not an easy or pretty process, but everyone loves the end result. Especially when you get the right crispiness on the casing, so it gives you a slight crunch, but still juicy flavorful bite.
This is much the same way with the Texans organization. Sometimes, they do things and get them right, sometimes they will do things and get them wrong. Either way, you'll choose whether you'll consume the product and in what way you choose to do so. Lots of fans decided not to show up this past season. Seats and even the popular tailgating was noticeably more spacious than it's ever been. Casuals definitely tuned out. Hardcore fans were there no matter what. The group that decided to protest with their wallets can factor in for NFL teams, but only to a certain extent. An NFL team is the closest thing to a for sure investment in this country as anything else.
Whether they got this right or not is debatable. How they went about making the decision shouldn't get to people as much as this did. In the end, everyone is looking for this team to be a winner. They want something to be proud of. They need ammo in those trash talking sessions, especially with fans of that other team up I-45. You need history to fight those history majors.
I really hope and think Lovie Smith will do well here. Smith, along with Dusty Baker and Stephen Silas may be the first group of black men to helm a city's three major pro sports teams. Will he coach this team to a playoff appearance? It's possible, if he's given the right amount of time and the roster is rebuilt/retooled into respectability to go along with their competitiveness. Smith had the defense playing very well at times. They kept the offense in games, or as close as they could, with the turnovers they'd create. Smith is known for his defensive coaching prowess. Keeping Pep Hamilton on as the offensive coordinator could prove to be a steal if he can make the team's next franchise quarterback a star. Tall order when the one they have is as good as gone and will hopefully net them the building blocks they need.
I propose a toast: To Lovie's success, and sausage. Let us all enjoy both without worrying how we arrived at either!
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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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