Following a tumultuous 2024 campaign that was beset by injuries and will go down as one of the worst statistical seasons of his legendary career,

For one, Dusty Baker isn't in the dugout. Joe Espada has done a commendable job filling unfillable shoes, but Houston is the No. 3 seed, not their standard juggernaut selves, and there's something distinctly different about watching Dusty Baker patrol the bench and call a game. It's not the same.