VYPE
We knew some changes were coming.
Originally appeared on VYPE
With Shadow Creek, Willis and Tomball moving up to Class 6A and Fulshear shifting from Class 4A to Class 5A there was going to be some movement. So, how does the new-look 5A in the Houston-area for football teams?
Well, here we go.
Starting with Class 5A Division I. There are three Houston-area districts in this mix.
District 8-5A-DI includes Cleveland, College Station, Caney Creek, Lufkin, Magnolia, Magnolia West, New Caney, Porter and Waller. Lufkin moves from its East Texas district and is pulled into the Houston area. This is going to be a competitive district. In football, New Caney has been a power the past few years, we will see how they do under a new head coach in 2020.
That district is in Region II as well, meaning come playoff time they will be traveling a lot.
In Region III, District 9-5A-DI sees all of the Goose Creek CISD schools - Goose Creek Memorial, Baytown Lee and Baytown Sterling - get put together, which is nice for that district. Other teams involved will be Beaumont United, which moves down from 6A, Friendswood, Galveston Ball, La Porte and Port Arthur Memorial.
The final Houston-area district in 5A-DI is District 10-5A. Manvel and Foster headline this district when it comes to football. Both teams have been powers the past few years and should continue that trend in 2020. Angleton is another team to watch in the district along with Fort Bend Hightower, Fort Bend Kempner, Rosenberg Terry, Milby, Wisdom and Katy Paetow.
The story continues here
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The Astros didn’t leave Seattle with a series win, but they may have gained something just as important: a reminder that resilience still runs deep in this group.
After a grueling extra-inning loss on Saturday, one that included the loss of Isaac Paredes to a hamstring injury, Houston regrouped on Sunday and hammered the Mariners 11-3. Christian Walker provided the turning point with a much-needed go-ahead home run in the sixth inning, while Taylor Trammell added a two-run double and a solo shot of his own. With Chas McCormick back from the injured list but still finding his footing, Trammell is quickly making his case as the best option in center field moving forward.
Manager Joe Espada continues to juggle a lineup that’s been in constant flux. Rookie Cam Smith, who had a clutch two-run double in Sunday’s win, has struggled as of late, going just 2-for his last 24. While his ability to get hits in clutch situations has been extremely valuable, the lack of a consistent spot in the batting order may be taking its toll. Giving Smith a stable home in the cleanup spot, even temporarily, might be a helpful reset.
Then again, the cleanup role hasn’t been kind to everyone.
Last night, Christian Walker, batting 4th, went 0-4, 2 K
- Walker for the season, batting 4th: .167 BA, .498 OPS
- Both are MLB worst (min. 75 AB batting 4th, 51st of 51)
- His 210 AB batting 4th are 6th most in MLB
- He's hitting .317 w/ .887 OPS when batting anywhere but 4th
— Adam Wexler (@AdamJWexler) July 19, 2025
Walker has been markedly less effective when hitting fourth this season, a trend that continues despite his strong Sunday performance. Sometimes, the data is clear: the four-hole might not be for him. He's literally been the worst cleanup option in baseball this season. Hit him fifth.
Behind the plate, Victor Caratini continues to impress, while Yainer Diaz is back in a cold stretch. Since the break, Diaz is just 1-for-14, raising questions about his timing and confidence as the summer grind deepens.
On the mound, the biggest developments are happening off the field. Cristian Javier and Spencer Arrighetti both completed three-inning rehab outings with Double-A Corpus Christi, while Luis Garcia threw two innings in a rehab start with Low-A Fayetteville. The trio’s return could mark a major turning point for the Astros, especially as Lance McCullers continues to struggle in his own comeback. McCullers lasted just 2 2/3 innings in Saturday’s loss, allowing four runs and showing little of the form that once made him one of the rotation’s anchors.
There’s been hesitancy to replace McCullers with someone like Arrighetti while he’s still building back arm strength, but the argument grows thinner each time McCullers falters. If healthy, even a three- or four-inning version of Javier or Arrighetti could give Houston more consistency at the back of the rotation.
Despite the weekend loss, the Astros still hold one of the best offenses in baseball, second in batting average, 12th in OPS, and 11th in slugging. The pitching staff remains stout, ranking sixth in ERA and second in WHIP. This team is far from unraveling.
With reinforcements on the way and a lineup that’s still capable of putting up crooked numbers, the Astros aren’t panicking. If anything, Sunday’s blowout win showed they’re ready to weather whatever’s next.
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 ‘Stros podcast which drops each Monday afternoon, with an additional episode now on Thursday.
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