Pallilo Points
Texans play one of the most significant regular season games in their history
Dec 21, 2018, 6:30 am
Deshaun Watson must protect the ball Sunday. Patrick McDermott/Getty Images
The first day of winter dawns with little discontent about the Houston Texans these days. It obviously isn't an elite team. The Texans were awfully mediocre in managing to beat the awful Jets last week, but 10-4 is 10-4 is 10-4. So with the Patriots having dropped back-to-back games, the stars have aligned and the Texans play at Philadelphia Sunday in what is their biggest non-playoff game in franchise history. With a win, the Texans would be a home victory over the lousy Jaguars from securing the second seed in the AFC and the first round playoff bye that comes with it. That would mean one home win would stand between the Texans and the AFC Championship game.
The Patriots have clearly dropped a couple of notches and now lost their most explosive wide receiver via loser Josh Gordon's latest suspension. The Steelers are nothing special. The Chiefs and Chargers look like the AFC's two best teams, but the Chiefs lost loser Kareem Hunt and Andy Reid has a long track record of losing home playoff games (though never with Patrick Mahomes at quarterback) and the Chargers have one playoff win in the last decade. Opportunity knocks! Louder than ever for the Texans.
Problem is, the Texans probably don't beat the Eagles. The Super Bowl champs are unlikely to even make the playoffs, but at 7-7 after beating the Rams they are still alive and playing with the character one would expect of a champion. The Eagles have a strong defensive line and good pass rush. The Texans have a sieve of an offensive line in pass protection and a running game that has been lousy two games in a row. Deshaun Watson will need to be stellar including continuing to avoid turnovers. The Texans have committed zero turnovers in their last four games, none in seven of their last eight (three in the win at Washington the exception). That is stout.
If the Texans pull it off Sunday and then dispatch the Jags to finish 12-4, they're looking at a Divisional Round home game against the Patriots unless New England loses at home wild card weekend.
If they lose Sunday, given the Patriots have should-be layup home games vs. the Bills and Jets, the Texans are looking at the third seed and having to beat the Colts, Ravens, or Titans in the Wild Card round to earn a game at New England.
That's the difference between a likelihood and a long shot at going deeper in the postseason than the Texans ever have.
Rockets hamstrung
It had been a good nine day stretch for the Rockets as they won five in a row. It didn't mean the ship had been totally righted. Now the ship is back closer to sunk with the latest indicator that Chris Paul's four year $160 million dollar contract is going to work out very poorly. His latest hamstring injury will sideline Paul for several weeks. CP hasn't been all that good a player this season, but the Rockets do not have anyone remotely worthy of soaking up his minutes. James Harden's offensive dominance will enable the Rockets to still win some games, but their shot at a high end Western Conference finish is pretty much gone.
Hot stove
The Astros added one and lost one this week. The addition is a much bigger plus than the subtraction is a minus. Lefty hitting left fielder Michael Brantley is a great fit. Off 2018 Brantley becomes the best contact hitter in the Astro lineup. Yes, better than Alex Bregman and Jose Altuv - -at putting bat to ball. Two years $32 million reflects the market, and the fact that MLB teams (the Astros very much among them) are swimming in cash. Coming off winning the World Series, the Astros had record shattering revenues this year. They also had a team record payroll, and the Brantley addition gets them back up to the $160 million neighborhood for 2019.
Reliever Joe Smith tearing an Achilles tendon working out that likely sidelines him until after the All Star break is a blow, but a minor one as the Astros have plentiful options to fill Smith's innings. If Smith misses half the season, that's four million he'll make while not throwing a pitch, the general neighborhood of what Lance McCullers will make while not pitching at all as he spends the year recovering from Tommy John surgery.
General Manager Jeff Luhnow probably doesn't add another gift under the tree before Christmas, but there is ample offseason shopping time left after Tuesday. Hitting prospect Kyle Tucker might turn out to be a stud. He could also turn out to be a bust. A.J. Reed anyone? If Tucker is a must include piece for Luhnow to close a deal for Marlins' catcher J.T. Realmuto or Indians' pitcher Trevor Bauer, include him.
Whatever happens, the Astros are going to be loaded again in 2019. Loaded enough to get past the Yankees and Red Sox for a second World Series appearance in three years? Should make for a very fun seven or eight months.
Buzzer Beaters
1. Paul at 4 seasons 160 million may go down as worse than Kelvin Cato's notorious extension in the 90s. 2. Merry Christmas unless not applicable 3. Best holiday season beverages: Bronze-Hot chocolate with cinnamon Silver-Wassail! Gold-Egg Nog (must have nutmeg)
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How Houston Rockets hold the cards for a franchise-changing summer
May 8, 2025, 5:45 pm
In Houston, the winning standard has been set so high that anything short of World Series contention now feels like failure. And yet, the 2025 Astros find themselves at an unfamiliar crossroads—caught between the fading brilliance of past stars and the uncertain promise of what comes next.
Jose Altuve is at the center of this issue. His early struggles (-0.5 WAR) may indicate more than just a temporary slump. And when he swung at the first pitch after Lance McCullers had just endured a grueling 33-pitch inning on Sunday, it raised a bigger question: who has the influence to talk to Altuve?
The Astros’ culture has long been praised for its accountability, but who inside the clubhouse has the standing to challenge or counsel Altuve or other vets when needed? With so many veteran voices gone, there’s a growing sense that no one does—and that’s a problem. That’s why the idea of bringing back Michael Brantley—not as a player, but as a respected voice—could make some sense. Brantley was always viewed as a quiet leader, and his presence could restore some of the guidance this roster desperately needs.
Batter up?
While the Astros have built a reputation for reviving pitchers' careers, their track record with hitters is far less impressive. There are few, if any, examples of a bat joining Houston and unlocking a new level. That failure in development becomes especially stark when considering how much they’re currently leaning on homegrown youth.
Which brings us to Zach Dezenzo. The 24-year-old rookie is showing he belongs—his .737 OPS makes him one of the more productive bats in a lineup that desperately needs stability while Yordan Alvarez nurses an injury. While Victor Caratini provides the Astros with the ability to switch hit, he's hitting just .217. Dezenzo should be starting every day in left, with Yordan out. Jose Altuve, who has already played too many innings this year, should be shifted to DH duties to ease his physical burden. The Astros should go with Cam Smith in right and keep Jake Meyers in center to round out the outfield.
GM Dana Brown has made clear that he views Dezenzo as a first baseman or left fielder for the future. So why not get him in the lineup while Yordan's out and see what he can do with consistent playing time?
Of course, losing Yordan Alvarez is always going to hurt. But the numbers tell a surprising story. Yordan currently holds a -0.4 WAR, right there alongside Altuve and Christian Walker as the only Astros with negative marks. On paper, the team hasn’t lost much production. But let’s not kid ourselves—Yordan’s mere presence alters how opponents pitch to this team. The lineup without him lacks fear factor, and the margins get razor-thin.
Speaking of margins, one move that may haunt this front office is the decision to sign Christian Walker. The veteran first baseman is hitting just .205 with a .617 OPS—far below the level expected from a player earning $20 million annually through 2027. Compare that to Jon Singleton, who posted better numbers in 2024 and currently boasts an .880 OPS in Triple-A with the Mets organization. Walker's defense is strong, but it's hard to argue that justifies the price tag. Singleton might not be a Gold Glover, or anything close, but he came much cheaper and was quietly more productive with the bat.
No regrets?
There’s also a broader question looming: if fans had known that Altuve’s massive contract extension would potentially cost the team the ability to re-sign current MVP candidates Kyle Tucker and Alex Bregman, would they still have supported the deal? Hindsight is cruel, but with Altuve’s decline and Tucker and Bregman thriving, it’s a fair debate. Houston might have paid for the past instead of securing its future.
Big deals on the horizon?
All eyes now turn to owner Jim Crane. This winter, Houston's payroll will have considerable room to maneuver. But will Crane commit to restocking the lineup with All-Star-caliber bats, or will his reluctance to offer long-term deals keep the Astros stuck in a holding pattern? It’s one thing to let players walk. It’s another to fail to replace them.
The Astros still have the bones of a contender, but the road back to dominance is getting steeper. The team can’t simply rely on what used to work. It’s time for difficult conversations, bold lineup changes, and a rethinking of how this organization develops—and retains—offensive talent.
We have 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 ‘Stros podcast which drops each Monday afternoon, with an additional episode now on Thursday!
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