Matt & Ross In The Morning

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show react to the Houston Astros dropping the first of a three-game home series against the Oakland Athletics on Tuesday. The Astros struggled to field bunts and bring home runners in scoring position in the 4-3 loss that went 12 innings. Spencer Arrighetti allowed two runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out seven in six innings. Matt and Ross talk with University of Houston Cougars football head coach Willie Fritz about the upcoming matchup against the Rice Owls, discuss Deshaun Watson's legal representation responding to a lawsuit, review "Ross' Rotten Five," tell people to "Shut Yo Bum Ass Up, Ain't Nobody Got Time" and more.

University of Houston Cougars football head coach Willie Fritz joins The Matt Thomas Show following a near upset over the No. 15 Oklahoma Sooners. Quarterback Donovan Smith completed 24 of 28 passes for 260 yards and a touchdown with one interception in Saturday's 16-12 defeat, rebounding well after the 27-7 home opener loss to the UNLV Rebels. "I definitely feel like we improved from Week 1 to Week 2," Fritz said. The Cougars will host the Rice Owls for the Bayou Bucket rivalry this weekend in an attempt to redeem themselves from last season's 43-41 loss in double overtime.

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show preview the Houston Astros hosting the Oakland Athletics for a three-game series starting Tuesday with Spencer Arrighetti on the mound. Astros manager Joe Espada joins to discuss Justin Verlander's recent struggles, and outfielder Chas McCormick talks about his recent spark after struggling at the plate earlier in the season. Matt and Ross review a ranking of the best MLB ballparks, react to Deshaun Watson being accused of sexual assault and battery, give their latest "Gut Feelings," remember actor James Earl Jones and more.

Houston Astros outfielder Chas McCormick joins The Matt Thomas Show ahead of a three-game home series against the Oakland Athletics. After struggling with production at the plate, the Astros optioned Chas McCormick to Triple-A Sugar Land. However, McCormick quickly returned to the Major League club on September 2 after Jake Meyers was added to the paternity list. "I was hard on myself because I knew I was a better player," McCormick said. Since being recalled, McCormick is hitting .409 over his last six games and recorded three hits in Sunday's 12-6 loss. "I've been happy with my performance...it's been awesome to feel like the player I know I am." Even though he had support from teammates, coaches and family during his offensive slump, McCormick did not hide his self-disapproval. "I had to figure it out myself." The Astros hold a 4.5-game lead over the Seattle Mariners for the lead in the AL West, and productive at-bats from the bottom of the lineup will be important to securing the division and a spot in the postseason. "It's been a strange year," McCormick said. "We just want to gain some momentum," because "these last three weeks will be critical."

Houston Astros manager Joe Espada joins The Matt Thomas Show ahead of the three-game home series against the Oakland Athletics. Spencer Arrighetti will start on the mound Tuesday in an attempt to bounce back after allowing nine runs on six hits and three walks in the first inning of his last start. Kyle Tucker was activated from the injured list Friday after being out for three months with a shin fracture. Tucker has played at the designated hitter position since returning, going 1-for-2 with a walk, an RBI and two runs scored Monday against the Diamondbacks. "He feels good," Espada said. "He's ready" to play in the outfield, but "we're just trying to be smart." Justin Verlander struggled in his fourth start since missing over two months with neck stiffness, giving up eight runs and eight hits, leaving the game in three innings. "He's not quite there yet," and "we have some adjustments to make." Verlander's spot in the postseason rotation has been put into question, especially with Framber Valdez, Hunter Brown and Yusei Kikuchi leading the staff. "We need him to give us some quality starts to get us to October."

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show react to the Houston Texans defeating the Indianapolis Colts 29-27 on the road Sunday to start the season 1-0 against a divisional opponent. Joe Mixon rushed for 159 yards and a touchdown while Stefon Diggs reached the endzone twice for their Texans debut. Matt and Ross also review Justin Verlander struggling in Sunday's 12-6 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks, comment on Tom Brady beginning his broadcasting career with FOX, discuss Cougars football nearly completing the upset over Oklahoma, play "To Tell The Truth" and more.

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show recap the Cincinnati Reds completing the sweep over the Houston Astros following Thursday's 1-0 result. Hunter Brown allowed four hits and struck out six over six scoreless innings, but the Astros offense was shut out. Brian McTaggart, Astros beat reporter for MLB.com, joins to discuss Kyle Tucker's return to the lineup. Matt and Ross also talk with Derek Schultz of Indianapolis Monthly about the Texans taking on the Colts for their season opener, review the Chiefs defeating the Ravens in the NFL season kickoff, give their predictions for the NFL season, tell their "Non-Florida Stories" and more on this "Anything Goes Friday."

Brian McTaggart, Astros beat reporter for MLB.com, joins The Matt Thomas Show after the Cincinnati Reds completed the series sweep over the Astros with Thursday's 1-0 result. Hunter Brown allowed four hits and struck out six over six scoreless innings. However, the Astros offense was unable to bring runners home, giving the Reds nine consecutive wins over Houston. "They just got shut down pitching-wise," McTaggart said. "I think the one thing that is going to help is getting [Kyle] Tucker back." Tucker is expected to be activated from the injured list this weekend after being out with a shin fracture for over three months. "They're going to want him at the top of that order." When Tucker returns, "Ben Gamel" is a possibility to get sent down. "I think Chas [McCormick] is probably going to stay at this point." McTaggart also discusses Spencer Arrighetti's "ups and downs" showcased through Wednesday's nine-run first inning following a near no-hitter performance the previous start and how Matt Chapman's deal with the San Francisco Giants will affect Alex Bregman's next contract.

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show react to the Houston Texans signing backup quarterback Davis Mills to a one-year extension worth $5 million, keeping him with the team through the 2025 season. Matt and Ross also talk with Astros manager Joe Espada and pitcher Forrest Whitley as they look to even the three-game series with the Cincinnati Reds, review the comments from Southern Mississippi head coach Will Hall, who said their primary concern was "gettting that check" after a weather delay interrupted play against Kentucky, break down the University of Houston Cougars' loss to the UNLV Rebels with head football coach Willie Fritz, say "I Just Don't Get It, Ain't Nobody Got Time" and more.

Houston Astros pitcher Forrest Whitley joins The Matt Thomas Show after getting called up to the Majors as a part of the September roster expansion. Whitley was ranked the No. 1 prospect in the Astros farm system from 2018-21 but was unable to break out due to Tommy John surgery in 2021. When asked about quitting baseball, Whitley replied, "The thought never crossed my mind...a lot of pitchers go through injury," but "that's just a part of the game." Whitley transitioned to the bullpen this past offseason to have a better chance of contributing to the Astros, which paid off when he made his MLB debut on April 16. "The process is completely different" between preparing for a game as a starter versus a reliever. Whitley made an appearance for a single inning during Monday's 5-3 loss to the Cincinnati Reds. "I didn't feel nervous" because "I was prepared to get these outs." While the longtime prospect has endured a difficult journey to the Majors, Whitley maintains his confidence through every opportunity. "I thoroughly believe I can" pitch at this level. "I want to take it a day at a time."