The Astros have spent much of the 2026 season living in baseball’s least interesting neighborhood: somewhere between good and bad. Once they build some momentum, they tend to give it right back. This ongoing nine-game homestand, which ends Sunday against the A’s, captures that point. Any hint that this team might finally separate itself from the pack quickly disappears. At this point, it’s hard to describe the Astros as anything other than mediocrity personified. If you need further evidence, look at this team’s record in the past 162 games dating back to last season.
This is an increasingly flawed, top-heavy roster. We all know that. There isn’t depth to pose a serious challenge, even in a generally weak American League. It isn’t devoid of talent, to be clear. But a 162-game sample size is usually a solid indication of a team’s quality. These Astros don’t inspire much hope that it’ll turn around soon.
While a division title, even amid this mediocre season, remains plausible, the long-term direction of the franchise is in question. Both Dana Brown and Joe Espada are still lame ducks in their respective positions, with their contracts ending in a couple of months. It appears highly doubtful from the outside looking in that they’ll be back. I mean, Jim Crane was willing to let James Click walk away, only offering him a one-year contract following the 2022 World Series. While no one other than Crane can bring clarity to the present situation, I don’t even think a deep postseason run is a guarantee to save their jobs. If an extension was coming it would likely have happened by now.
Of course, this conversation will occur in conjunction with what is shaping up to become another round of contentious CBA negotiations this offseason. With that in mind, I can’t think of too many recent offseasons more important than this upcoming one, other than when Jeff Luhnow was hired in 2011 and the hiring of Click and Dusty Baker on the heels of the sign-stealing scandal in 2020.
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I don’t expect that narrative to change on Sunday against the A’s. For one, this nine-game homestand has been an utter disappointment. Even a win leaves Houston with a losing record on what was a soft spot in the schedule. A six-game road trip to New York against the Yankees and Mets looms next week. And even this finale against the A’s isn’t a guaranteed victory, as the Astros have proved again and again that they are susceptible to disappointing losses. Plus, Cristian Javier is starting, so my expectations is already low.
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I’d put Crane and his Front Office on top of the shit list. Click was let go after winning the WS, yes. But, in his three years tenure, year 1, he made the post-season. Year 2, he made it to the WS. Year 3, he won the WS. What do you want, Crane? Dusty, Bagwell, Biggio, and Jackson? Or, Espada, Brown, Bagwell, and Biggio? You’ve got it. Now,
SHOW ME THE MONEY.
Click came out of the Tampa Bay org. They are winners every year with a relatively low payroll. Brown made his reputation by drafting well in Atlanta. Lucky? I don’t
see the magic in Houston.