Pitching Guru Brent Strom Back with Astros

Strom had been the person most associated with what has colloquially been called the "Astros Lab" at the start of the Golden Era. Pitchers frequently improved significantly when joining the Astros and working under Strom.

The "Astros Lab" continued to have success under Strom's successors, Josh Miller and Bill Murphy, until this season. Prior to this season, Murphy left for a job with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The Astros have struggled to adapt to changing behaviors of hitters and umpires due to the ABS strike zone.