Jeff Balke

We're past the midway point in the season with the most boring sports week of the year ahead of us, unless you are pumped for MLB All-Star Week. Whoopee!

After the All-Star break, the Astros seemed like they were primed to compete in the dismal AL West. They had a trade, some roster maneuvers, and some quality returning pitchers on the way.

After two weeks of the doldrums of summer (all due respect to the World Cup), everything starts to hit the fan with NFL training camps opening and perhaps the most pivotal week of the season for your Houston Astros.

Since the All-Star break, the Astros have been on an absolute tear, especially when you consider they dropped their first three games to the Orioles at home.

Just hours before the MLB trade deadline on Monday, the Astros swapped injured pitcher Spencer Arrighetti for Blue Jays center fielder Daulton Varsho.

The NBA released its full schedule last week and the Rockets saw a few interesting changes including fewer nationally televised games and a rather favorable early-season.

Prior to the trade deadline, there were real talks about what the Astros, Rangers and Mariners might do.

The Astros “parted ways” with GM Dana Brown on Monday in an announcement. Brown's tenure was marred most notably by a very ugly season for Houston

This may go down as one of the weirdest seasons in history for your Houston Astros. They are barely over .500, have a negative run differential, yet still lead what is the worst division in baseball.

The Astros and Rangers each have six remaining series (18 games) so let's compare them to see who has the advantage.