Gallant Says

NYT Best Selling Author Ross Bolen of @OystersClamsCockles / @bangingthecan joins the show to talk about the current state of Houston sports AND Westeros.

From the Jayden Higgins injury and a chance for C.J. Stroud's redemption to how Astros fans might have something in common with Game of Thrones fans, we run the gauntlet on H-Town's sportsballers.

Then it's off to Westeros. We break down House of the Dragon Season 3, why the show bounced back after a disappointing Season 2, with a lot of spoilers along the way.

Plus: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, the future of the Game of Thrones universe, and what Ross is watching next.

The Houston Texans as the AFC's best team?

Garret Williams - AKA TexansCommenter - joins the show to talk about that, C.J. Stroud expectations, and to give me a much needed boost of optimism before the Texans kick off their '26 campaign.

For more of Garret's work, subscribe to his channel @texanscommenter and check out his website: https://Houstonstressans.com

Whether I'm sipping battle red kool-aid or dealing with deep steel blue pill side effects that require a doctor's trip, I'm finding myself MORE optimistic about the Texans after the past week.

PLUS: @texanscommenter and I shoot the shit about the positives vibes this offseason is giving me...and the Astros let us down this past weekend. Worse...the Mariners are STILL their daddy.

Paul tries to watch Texans-Chargers while wondering why anyone should pay full price to watch a game without C.J. Stroud, Nico Collins, Will Anderson Jr. and most of the players anyone actually wants to see.

Then: do you NEED to defend people who share ONE opinion with you? Are there reasons to worry about the Astros before September? What does Kevin Durant's relationship with Russell Westbrook say about the Rockets' young players? Why is Houston one gigantic collection of parking lots that still somehow requires mandatory valet? And Texas politicians from both sides of the aisle are trying VERY hard to prove just how Texan they are.

Royce White remains the worst. But maybe he's on to something. Is it time for me to start GRIFTING? Plus...the Texan under THE MOST pressure heading into '26, 3 interesting observations from Training Camp, and 3 big Qs that the Astros have to answer...

Everybody seems to agree that C.J. Stroud had a disappointing 2025 season... so why are so many national NFL voices picking the Texans to win the AFC anyway? We dive into that contradiction, react to the Texans' new "Protect the Team" training camp policy, discuss whether the offensive line is finally showing signs of life, debate what Carlos Correa's return means for the Astros, and close things out with two stories you probably weren't expecting: Houston's funeral home problem and a congressional candidate getting into a fight on the beach.

The Astros are back in first place, and I'm officially back on the bandwagon. In a cockroach suit.

Plus, did the Astros get better at the deadline after trading Spencer Arrighetti for Daulton Varsho? And how about the Texans after bringing back Jadeveon Clowney?

The internet is crushing C.J. Stroud...and this time it isn't fair! Plus, my observations of Texans Training Camp observations, the Astros are at .500, and the world's most annoying sports league keeps stepping in it!

I've got 5 questions heading into Houston Texans Training Camp, which kicks off Wednesday.

Plus, the Astros WILL be buyers at the trade deadline. But is that the right call? They're also being compared to something that'll likely anger a few fans.

And the Rockets actually did something to improve the vibes heading into next season. But I'm more interested in THESE questions.

All that...plus something that's been long overdue and a terrible trend that created a tragedy.

Chandler Rome of The Athletic joins Gallant Says to discuss the Astros' decision to trade Lance McCullers, what his legacy in Houston will be, and where Dana Brown could look before the MLB trade deadline.

We also discuss Jeremy Peña's future, the state of the Astros' pitching staff, potential trade strategies, and why the American League remains wide open heading into the second half of the season.

If you're looking for thoughtful Astros analysis ahead of the deadline, this conversation covers the biggest questions facing Houston over the next few weeks.