Houston Astros: Todd Kalas, play-by-play; Geoff Blum, color.
The AL West is predominantly a play-by-play guys’ division, and nowhere is that more so than in the Astros’ booth.
Kalas may only be in his fourth season behind the Astros’ microphone, but he is the son of Hall of Famer Harry Kalas and works very much in his father’s informed, professional style. Prior to being handed the keys to the play-by-play duties, he had worked for a decade in various aspects of the on-camera operation, allowing him plenty of time to cement his identity within the Astros fabric.
He’s also a Houston native.
Blum was a major league infielder for 14 seasons prior to retiring in 2012, He began TV work with the team’s crew in 2015 and joined the booth full-time in 2019.
Like Blowers in Seattle, Blum’s analysis deserves the label of ‘serviceable,’ but is not in any aspect remarkable. He is articulate at the fundamental level that ought to be – but is not – required of all color analysts. But it will be a rare moment when Blum delivers any insight that causes a listener to remark, “wow, I never thought of that.”
That in turn places the burden for the telecast’s success or failure largely on Kalas. The result is a competent, but only occasionally insightful, booth.
Experience: 3
Likeability: 3
Knowledge: 4
Humor: 3
Rapport: 4
Oratory: 4
Total: 21