Stone Cold Stros: A Houston Astros Podcast SportsMap Houston

After clawing their way back into the wildcard and division pictures, Houston's trajectory balances on a razor's edge with the depths of their pitching staff being tested like never before. The Astros have major long-term questions to answer regarding both 1st and 3rd base.

With the Astros so thin in the starting rotation, can the young guns of Blanco and Brown be the final pieces that stabilize this staff? Why is the national media giving updates on Dana Brown's job status?

Jose Abreu's time with the Astros comes to a premature end less than halfway into his 3 year contract. Where does Houston go from here?

With another Astros insider saying Joe Espada's hands are tied in the Jose Abreu situation, that only leaves so many voices to intervene and influence change. A player-led intervention could be one of the team's last hopes.

Houston's pen takes its lumps and if they don't act now, then when? And the puppet masters start to take focus.