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Here's why Nick Caserio is built for this, despite evidence to the contrary

Here's why Nick Caserio is built for this, despite evidence to the contrary
Caserio is tasked with doing something he's never done before. Composite image by Jack Brame.
Texans General Manager Nick Caserio

By now, we can all agree the Texans are in rebuild mode, right? Okay. Cool. Glad we got that out the way so we can move on to the next order of business for this column. With the team in rebuild mode, people often ask questions about who's in charge and are they qualified to lead a team rebuilding.

Enter Texans general manager Nick Caserio. He's been on the job a little over a year now. While he's had his fair share of missteps, he's also made some headway in bringing this team towards respectability. He was tasked with a tall order and was given the proper tenure to his contract to reflect the type of security a man in his shoes would need. I saw an interesting post and reply the other day on Twitter that brought this all about:

Sarge made a fair point: does Caserio know how to rebuild since he was part of a dynasty from the start? However, Dune countered: how is he qualified because he's never had to rebuild anything? Caserio may not know how to "rebuild" a team because he's never been part of a rebuild, but he damn sure knows what a well-run organization looks like!

The fact that he's never rebuilt a team from scratch after it was cremated alive doesn't mean he's not capable. Guys who've done that successfully before are often not available to hire because teams will keep them around to see things through. This is why the copycat culture of the NFL is so pervasive. Teams want to mimic other teams all the time. The easiest way to do so is to pick fruit off those teams' vines in hopes of replicating their harvest. Easier said than done.

This whole "Patriot Way" thing is funny to me. When I think of what that means, it's Bill Belichick, Tom Brady, and their supporting cast over the years. When you don't have them, you won't get the "Patriot Way." Plucking random fruits from a bountiful tree won't get you a twin of that tree. If lucky, you may end up with a decent seed that'll yield something worthwhile, but it won't get you anything close to the real deal.


What Caserio is asked to do, and what's fully expected of him, is to build a model similar to the one he came from. He's a contractor who's spent the majority of his career supervising a project for someone else but is now tasked with remodeling his own building as the lead dog. Can a general contractor build a home that was burned down? Yes. Will he be the first to do so? No.

Personally, I think he'll do a fine job. As long as he drafts very well, spends wise free agent money, re-signs the right guys, and brings in a coaching staff that can grow with the talent he's acquiring. This is why he's reportedly paid $6 million dollars a year over six years. Fans want to see results, or they'll come for their pound of flesh. I think he's on the right track. This off-season's moves will go a long way to establishing his legacy. Here's to Caserio seeing six years and beyond here in Houston!

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Kyle Tucker returns to Houston this weekend. Composite Getty Image.

Two first-place teams, identical records, and a weekend set with serious measuring-stick energy.

The Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs open a three-game series Friday night at Daikin Park, in what could quietly be one of the more telling matchups of the summer. Both teams enter at 48-33, each atop their respective divisions — but trending in slightly different directions.

The Astros have been red-hot, going 7-3 over their last 10 while outscoring opponents by 11 runs. They've done it behind one of the best pitching staffs in baseball, with a collective 3.41 ERA that ranks second in the American League. Houston has also been dominant at home, where they’ve compiled a 30-13 record — a stat that looms large heading into this weekend.

On the other side, the Cubs have held their ground in the NL Central but have shown some recent shakiness. They're 5-5 over their last 10 games and have given up 5.66 runs per game over that stretch. Still, the offense remains dangerous, ranking fifth in on-base percentage across the majors. Kyle Tucker leads the way with a .287 average, 16 homers, and 49 RBIs, while Michael Busch has been hot of late, collecting 12 hits in his last 37 at-bats.

Friday’s pitching matchup features Houston’s Brandon Walter (0-1, 3.80 ERA, 1.10 WHIP) and Chicago’s Cade Horton (3-1, 3.73 ERA, 1.29 WHIP), a promising young arm making one of his biggest starts of the season on the road. Horton will have his hands full with Isaac Paredes, who’s slugged 16 homers on the year, and Mauricio Dubón, who’s found a groove with four home runs over his last 10 games.

It’s the first meeting of the season between these two clubs — and if the trends continue, it may not be the last time they cross paths when it really counts.

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Astros -112, Cubs -107; over/under is 8 1/2 runs

Here's a preview of Joe Espada's Game 1 lineup.

The first thing that stands out is rookie Cam Smith is hitting cleanup, followed by Jake Meyers. Victor Caratini is the DH and is hitting sixth. Christian Walker is all the way down at seventh, followed by Yainer Diaz, and Taylor Trammell who is playing left field.

How the mighty have fallen.

Pretty wild to see Walker and Diaz hitting this low in the lineup. However, it's justified, based on performance. Walker is hitting a pathetic .214 and Diaz is slightly better sporting a .238 batting average.

Screenshot via: MLB.com



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