The Houston Astros are tied for the best record in the American League West, but they decided to fire general manager Dana Brown on Monday.
The Astros have lost six of their last nine games, losing three consecutive series on a nine-game homestand. Those series were against three sub-.500 teams in the Seattle Mariners, Los Angeles Angels and Athletics. Still, the team can make the playoffs.
They decided it was time for a change and Brown had to go, but firing him is not the shake-up the team will make.
"While one high-ranking Astros official said that Joe Espada will not receive a new contract after the season, Espada’s status is unchanged and he will remain as manager, and a decision by Crane will be made after the season," wrote USA Today's Bob Nightengale on Monday.
Last season was the first time since 2017 that the Astros failed to make the postseason, so Espada came into the year on the hot seat. However, simply making the postseason is not enough for the Astros. Espada may need to make a deep run in October to save his job, but it's possible even that will not be enough.
For years, the Astros were seen as a dominant team in the American League. However, now they are fighting to get into October, and more big changes could be on the horizon.