Mike Meltser and The Athletic's Jake Kaplan take you inside the clubhouse and cover the big stories in what will be a fascinating 2021 season for the Houston Astros.
Mike and Jake return to preview the Astros' 2021 regular season ahead of Opening Day. They discuss their overall feelings about how the team stacks up, questions they have about the pitching staff, the Carlos Correa contract situation and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mike and Jake discuss George Springer's departure to the Blue Jays, the Astros' deal to bring back Michael Brantley, and they evaluate where the team stands with only a few weeks to go until the scheduled start of spring training. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mike and Jake discuss the state of a slow Astros’ offseason, the free agencies of George Springer, Michael Brantley and others like Jackie Bradley Jr., and Carlos Correa’s long-term outlook. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mike and Jake discuss the biggest on-field developments for the Astros in 2020 and share their thoughts on the pending free agencies of George Springer and Michael Brantley. Later, they react to Jeff Luhnow’s comments from earlier in the week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mike and Jake discuss the Astros’ ALCS Game 7 loss to the Rays, Carlos Correa’s emergence as a team leader and the meaning of this surprising playoff run. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mike and Jake react to Zack Greinke’s postgame comments after Game 4 and analyze Dusty Baker’s decision to let Greinke finish the sixth inning. They also share their thoughts on the series to date and how the Astros should approach their pitching in Game 5. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mike and Jake discuss how the Astros match up against the Rays, offer their keys to the series and reveal their predictions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mike and Jake analyze the Astros’ upset of the A’s in the ALDS. They discuss the stunning offensive explosion by Houston’s lineup and revisit their predictions from earlier in the week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mike and Jake preview the best-of-five Astros-A’s ALDS that begins Monday. They discuss the keys to the series and each team’s rotation decisions. Lastly, they share their predictions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mike and Jake analyze the Astros’ two-game sweep of the Twins in the wild-card round, from Houston’s successful pitching strategy to Minnesota’s implosion. They also look ahead to next week’s ALDS and discuss how the Astros should line up their rotation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mike and Jake share their thoughts on the Astros’ postseason draw, how the team matches up against the Twins and who should start in Game 2. They also discuss the curious decision to start Lance McCullers in a meaningless game on Saturday, and they revisit their preseason over/under picks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mike and Jake analyze the underperformance of four key Astros hitters and Dusty Baker’s decision to sit George Springer on Monday. Then they preview the final series of the regular season and discuss possible roles for Framber Valdez in the wild card round. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mike and Jake discuss George Springer’s two-home run performance on Sunday and the outfielder’s looming free agency. They also discuss the upcoming free agencies of Michael Brantley and Yuli Gurriel, and the continued struggles of the Astros’ offense. Then, they bring on Paul Gallant of 710 ESPN in Seattle to preview this week’s Astros-Mariners series. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mike and Jake convene for an emergency podcast episode, in which they discuss Saturday’s news that Justin Verlander will undergo Tommy John surgery. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mike and Jake react to the first two games of the Astros’ series against the Rangers and discuss the recent performances of José Urquidy and Lance McCullers in the context of the looming postseason rotation decisions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mike and Jake discuss the end to the Astros’ 2-9 California trip and look ahead to the final 13 games of the regular season. They talk about the latest on Justin Verlander and the impending return of Lance McCullers Jr. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mike and Jake discuss the Astros’ struggles in Oakland, the team’s latest pitcher injuries and Dusty Baker’s questionable bullpen management. They also share their reactions to Wednesday’s news about Verlander’s 50-to-55-pitch bullpen session. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mike and Jake analyze the Astros’ awful weekend in Anaheim and explain how Dusty Baker’s bullpen mismanagement has exacerbated the team’s biggest weakness. Subscribe to The Athletic using this special promo and receive 40% off! Also, subscribers will have access to exclusive episodes. http://theathletic.com/crawfordtalks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mike and Jake discuss the storylines they will be monitoring for the rest of the Astros’ regular season and analyze the team’s decision to stand pat at the trade deadline. Subscribe to The Athletic using this special promo and receive 40% off! Also, subscribers will have access to exclusive episodes. http://theathletic.com/crawfordtalks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mike and Jake discuss whether they think the Astros have a legitimate chance to overtake the first-place A’s before season’s end and share their takeaways from the weekend. Subscribe to The Athletic using this special promo and receive 40% off! Also, subscribers will have access to exclusive episodes. http://theathletic.com/crawfordtalks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Who was the Astros’ first-half MVP? How about their biggest disappointment? Mike and Jake cover these topics and more in a discussion about the state of the team at the 2020 season’s halfway point. Subscribe to The Athletic using this special promo and receive 40% off! Also, subscribers will have access to exclusive episodes. http://theathletic.com/crawfordtalks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mike and Jake survey the trade market ahead of next week’s deadline and discuss the Astros’ biggest needs as well as some potential targets. Subscribe to The Athletic using this special promo and receive 40% off! Also, subscribers will have access to exclusive episodes. http://theathletic.com/crawfordtalks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mike and Jake dissect Wednesday’s news that Yordan Alvarez will undergo season-ending knee surgery and then talk about Alex Bregman’s hamstring injury, Lance McCullers Jr.’s comments on Starkville and the Fernando Tatis Jr. controversy. Subscribe to The Athletic using this special promo and receive 40% off! Also, subscribers will have access to exclusive episodes. http://theathletic.com/crawfordtalks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mike and Jake discuss the importance of the Astros’ 5-1 week against two rebuilding teams, the Giants and the Mariners. Then they talk about Jose Altuve volunteering to move down in the batting order, Yordan Alvarez’s return and more. Subscribe to The Athletic using this special promo and receive 40% off! Also, subscribers will have access to exclusive episodes. http://theathletic.com/crawfordtalks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mike and Jake analyze the struggling Astros bullpen and explore if its issues can be fixed. Then they discuss recent updates on Justin Verlander and Yordan Alvarez, and offer their reactions to the suspensions of Alex Cintrón and Ramón Laureano. Subscribe to The Athletic using this special promo and receive 40% off! Also, subscribers will have access to exclusive episodes. http://theathletic.com/crawfordtalks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mike and Jake sift through the madness that was Sunday’s scuffle between the Astros and A’s and take stock of where the Astros stand after losing all three games to their chief competition in the AL West. Then they welcome Astros rookie reliever Blake Taylor to the show to discuss his early success, working with Brent Strom and much more. Subscribe to The Athletic using this special promo and receive 40% off! Also, subscribers will have access to exclusive episodes. http://theathletic.com/crawfordtalks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mike and Jake discuss the Astros’ decision to remove Josh James from the rotation, Lance McCullers’ early struggles and whether they think we’ve seen the last of Roberto Osuna in a Houston uniform. Subscribe to The Athletic using this special promo and receive 40% off! Also, subscribers will have access to exclusive episodes. http://theathletic.com/crawfordtalks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mike and Jake discuss the offensive struggles of the top three hitters in the Astros’ lineup and take stock of the extremely depleted pitching staff. Can they endure all of these pitcher injuries? Subscribe to The Athletic using this special promo and receive 40% off! Also, subscribers will have access to exclusive episodes. http://theathletic.com/crawfordtalks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mike and Jake share their reactions to the Joe Kelly/Carlos Correa drama of Tuesday night and Kelly’s suspension on Wednesday and then discuss their takeaways from the Astros’ first week of games. Subscribe to The Athletic using this special promo and receive 40% off! Also, subscribers will have access to exclusive episodes. http://theathletic.com/crawfordtalks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mike and Jake react to Sunday’s stunning news that Justin Verlander has a strained forearm and analyze what it might mean for the Astros in the short- and long-term. Then they bring on The Athletic’s Pedro Moura to preview this week’s Astros-Dodgers series. Subscribe to The Athletic using this special promo and receive 40% off! Also, subscribers will have access to exclusive episodes. http://theathletic.com/crawfordtalks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mike and Jake discuss if the Betts extension will have any impact on Springer and the Astros. Then they run through their takeaways from the two exhibition games in Kansas City and make their 2020 AL West predictions. Subscribe to The Athletic using this special promo and receive 40% off! Also, subscribers will have access to exclusive episodes. http://theathletic.com/crawfordtalks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mike and Jake each draft three over/under prop bets pertaining to individual Astros player performances in the 2020 season and discuss how the team should approach the DH spot until Yordan Alvarez returns. Subscribe to The Athletic using this special promo and receive 40% off! Also, subscribers will have access to exclusive episodes. http://theathletic.com/crawfordtalks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mike and Jake discuss the state of the Astros’ pitching staff in the wake of several notable camp absences/injuries. They discuss why uncertainty about the team’s bullpen is already mounting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mike and Jake discuss the Astros’ latest workout cancellation due to COVID-19 concerns and consider what it means for the regular season. Later, they discuss Justin Verlander’s mechanical changes. Subscribe to The Athletic using this special promo and receive 40% off! Also, subscribers will have access to exclusive episodes. http://theathletic.com/crawfordtalks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mike and Jake analyze the newly released Astros’ schedule for the 60-game season. Then they bring on The Athletic’s Mariners beat writer, Corey Brock, to preview Houston’s Opening Day matchup against Seattle. Subscribe to The Athletic using this special promo and receive 40% off! Also, subscribers will have access to exclusive episodes. http://theathletic.com/crawfordtalks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mike and Jake discuss how different it is to cover the team right now and also delve into the testing issues that have already emerged just a few days into summer camp workouts. Subscribe to The Athletic using this special promo and receive 40% off! Also, subscribers will have access to exclusive episodes. http://theathletic.com/crawfordtalks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mike and Jake run down a list of storylines they will be monitoring once the 60-game season begins. Among them: Can Carlos Correa stay healthy and be an MVP candidate? Later, Mike rants about Bobby Bonilla Day. Subscribe to The Athletic using this special promo and receive 40% off! Also, subscribers will have access to exclusive episodes. http://theathletic.com/crawfordtalks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mike and Jake take a look at the Astros’ initial 60-man player pool for the 2020 season, speculate about the Aug. 31 trade deadline and discuss Jim Crane’s comments from last week. Subscribe to The Athletic using this special promo and receive 40% off! Also, subscribers will have access to exclusive episodes. http://theathletic.com/crawfordtalks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mike and Jake discuss the return of baseball and analyze the questions the Astros will need to answer during the soon-to-begin “spring training part two.” Subscribe to The Athletic using this special promo and receive 40% off! Also, subscribers will have access to exclusive episodes. http://theathletic.com/crawfordtalks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mike and Jake share their concerns about the possibility of a 2020 season in the wake of the increase in COVID-19 cases in several states and positive tests among players and staff around the game. Subscribe to The Athletic using this special promo and receive 40% off! Also, subscribers will have access to exclusive episodes. http://theathletic.com/crawfordtalks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mike and Jake discuss the significant progress made in the negotiations between MLB and the MLBPA this week and examine the obstacles that still remain. Subscribe to The Athletic using this special promo and receive 40% off! Also, subscribers will have access to exclusive episodes. http://theathletic.com/crawfordtalks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mike and Jake discuss the reactions by Astros fans and Astros players to Friday’s court ruling that a 2017 letter from MLB to the Yankees must be unsealed and explain their stances on this latest development. Subscribe to The Athletic using this special promo and receive 40% off! Also, subscribers will have access to exclusive episodes. http://theathletic.com/crawfordtalks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mike and Jake are joined by The Athletic’s Jayson Stark to discuss his latest plea to baseball and examine the possible ramifications of a MLB-imposed 50-game schedule. Subscribe to The Athletic using this special promo and receive 40% off! Also, subscribers will have access to exclusive episodes. http://theathletic.com/crawfordtalks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mike and Jake discuss this week’s MLB Draft and analyze how the Astros might strategize around having only four picks and the smallest signing bonus pool. Subscribe to The Athletic using this special promo and receive 40% off! Also, subscribers will have access to exclusive episodes. http://theathletic.com/crawfordtalks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mike and Jake react to the possibility that MLB could implement a 50-game season and discuss how that outcome would impact the Astros. Subscribe to The Athletic using this special promo and receive 40% off! Also, subscribers will have access to exclusive episodes. http://theathletic.com/crawfordtalks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mike and Jake dissect the MLBPA’s counter proposal to MLB, discuss teams’ decisions to release minor leaguers and highlight the 15th anniversary of the Houston Chronicle’s infamous Astros tombstone. Subscribe to The Athletic using this special promo and receive 40% off! Also, subscribers will have access to exclusive episodes. http://theathletic.com/crawfordtalks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mike and Jake analyze the latest disagreements in the negotiations between MLB and the players’ association and speculate about possible solutions. Subscribe to The Athletic using this special promo and receive 40% off! Also, subscribers will have access to exclusive episodes. http://theathletic.com/crawfordtalks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mike and Jake are joined by The Athletic’s Yankees beat writer, Lindsey Adler, to discuss her recent column about what it is like to cover baseball during a pandemic and more. Subscribe to The Athletic using this special promo and receive 40% off! Also, subscribers will have access to exclusive episodes. http://theathletic.com/crawfordtalks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mike and Jake dive into the highlights of the 67-page health-and-safety protocol MLB sent to the MLBPA and discuss the many accomplishments of the late Bob Watson. Subscribe to The Athletic using this special promo and receive 40% off! Also, subscribers will have access to exclusive episodes. http://theathletic.com/crawfordtalks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mike and Jake react to the latest developments in MLB and the players’ association’s disagreements on a 2020 pay structure and analyze what it means moving forward. Subscribe to The Athletic using this special promo and receive 40% off! Also, subscribers will have access to exclusive episodes. http://theathletic.com/crawfordtalks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mike and Jake are joined by The Athletic’s Evan Drellich to discuss the chances a 2020 MLB season will be played and where things stand in the negotiations between MLB and the MLBPA. Subscribe to The Athletic using this special promo and receive 40% off! Also, subscribers will have access to exclusive episodes. http://theathletic.com/crawfordtalks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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