It is one of those weeks at work for Dan P, where, as much as I would love to whip out 3 pages of prose for my friends to peruse, my job is kicking my butt and leaving me little energy and time.
So, this one’s on you. Here are 10 questions of various shapes and sizes about the Astros as we sit here today.
- On a scale of 1 – 10, with one being totally unsurprised and 10 being totally shocked, how would you rate your reaction to the announcement that Carlos Correa will not return for the rest of the 2026 season (including potential playoffs)?
- In your opinion, did the Astros dodge a bullet in not having to fit Correa into their lineup, considering how often injured players take some time to get rolling after a long stint on the IL? (Spoiler alert – there is practically no time left in the season at this point).
- Of the following players, who is the most critical to their success between now and the end of the season?
4. Of the following “parts” of the ball club – which is the most important to their success down the stretch?
- The starting pitching
- The bullpen
- The offense
- The defense
5. If you were a betting man (or woman) do you think the Astros will….
- Announce they are letting manager Joe Espada go immediately after the season ends?
- Extend him?
- Make him an offer he can refuse (like James Click)?
- Let him go and then rehire him after the inevitable lockout/strike ends – therefore not having to pay for a manager for an extended period of time?
6. And what do you think the Astros will do with their open General Manager’s spot?
- Fill it before the end of the season
- Fill it between the end of the season and the beginning of the lockout in December
- Fill it after the lockout/ strike ends
- Never fill it and continue to run the club with some unholy troika of Jim Crane, Jeff Bagwell and multiple assistant GMs
7. If the Astros make the playoffs – do you think they will….
- Lose in the Wild Card round?
- Lose in the ALDS?
- Lose in the ALCS?
- Lose in the World Series?
- Have a big time parade in early November?
8. Yordan Alvarez will…
- Win the MVP and earn the triple crown
- Win the MVP but fall short of the triple crown
- Win the triple crown but fall short of the MVP
- Miss out on both the MVP and triple crown
9. The Astros will…
- Win the AL West and pass the White Sox for the 2nd AL seed
- Win the AL West but end up in the WC round
- Lose the AL West but end up in the WC round
- Miss the playoffs
10. The Astros’ final record will end up with…
- 82 or more wins
- 81 wins
- 80 or less wins
OK – you get to do my work for me today.
ALL THINGS ASTROS 