Astros losing key member of coaching staff after World Series loss

Following the World Series loss to the Atlanta Braves, the Houston Astros are losing one incredibly important member of their coaching staff.

When it rains, it pours.

Or, well, that’s at least how Houston Astros fans might be feeling right now. The Astros just fell to the Atlanta Braves in the 2021 World Series, losing in six games. Houston, arguably the more talented team in the series, was unable to consistently string together timely hits throughout the series and struggled with its starting pitching.

But that’s not the only bit of bad news the folks in the Bayou City have to deal with right now.

The questions around Houston’s pitching are about to get considerably louder as the Astros are losing Brent Strom, their longtime pitching coach.

Strom, who has been with Houston in the role since 2014, has helped Houston win one World Series and compete in three. While his work that has helped elevate the likes of Dallas Kuechel, Gerrit Cole, Charlie Morton, Lance McCullers Jr., Justin Verlander, Zack Greinke, and so many others has been impressive, he hasn’t received anywhere enough credit for all that he’s done.

Houston Astros pitching coach Brent Strom to step down

Strom joined Houston when the Astros were an unsuccessful bunch that were attempting to rebuild. His presence and the work he did with those aforementioned pitchers, as well as younger guys who have potential like Framber Valdez, has set Houston up for success for years.

Now Houston has to replace him.

There will be some logical options for Houston, such as Joshua Miller, Houston’s bullpen coach, but it remains to be seen who Houston will trust to take the pivotal position.

And of course, while Houston has a brilliant front office and some talented stars, there’s a notable amount of uncertainty surrounding this team entering into the offseason. The Astros will have to figure out what to do contract wise with Carlos Correa, Verlander, and Greinke, among others.

It’s not necessarily an enviable position to be in, but this organization has navigated through tougher situations in the past. Maybe they’ll get through this one too.