Matt & Ross In The Morning

University of Houston Cougars football head coach Willie Fritz joins The Matt Thomas Show following Saturday's 27-7 loss against the UNLV Rebels. The home season opener was also Fritz's debut with the Cougars. The Cougars were scoreless at the half, and their only points came in the final minute of the fourth quarter. Although the loss was disappointing, Fritz has implemented a directive that does not allow for dwelling on the past: the pout rule. "After 24 hours, we're done. We're moving onto the next deal," Fritz said. While penalties on offense and special teams weighed down the Cougars' performance, there were some silver linings on the defensive side of the ball. "We were more assignment-sound." The Cougars will take on the Oklahoma Sooners for their first road matchup Saturday.

Houston Astros manager Joe Espada joins The Matt Thomas Show ahead of the second of a three-game road series against the Cincinnati Reds. Justin Verlander started in Monday's 5-3 loss, which snapped the Astros' five-game winning streak. "Physically, he looks fine," Espada said. However, Verlander is still working to get back to full strength after starting the season on the injured list with right shoulder inflammation and then missing more than two months with neck discomfort. The Astros are currently utilizing a six-man rotation, but young pitchers, such as Spencer Arrighetti and Ronel Blanco, are surpassing their previous inning thresholds, creating a "very delicate balance" between resting guys and wanting to hold the lead in the AL West. "We played well despite some injuries...still got another three weeks to go," so "we are trying to take it one series at a time." With the Astros looking to return to a five-man rotation, Blanco will most likely move to the bullpen. Blanco's next start would come Sunday against the Arizona Diamondbacks, but he could be moved before then. "That's a strong possibility." Kyle Tucker revealed he sustained a small fracture after fouling a ball off his right shin on June 3. Tucker has been off the field for three months, but a return during the Diamondbacks series "is very realistic." Alex Bregman is also working through an injury. He is "day-to-day" and "we'll see how he feels." Espada says they would like to rest Bregman, "but we are not in the postseason yet."

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show recap the Cincinnati Reds snapping the Houston Astros five-game winning streak. Justin Verlander allowed five runs on eight hits with four walks in just under five innings during Monday's 5-3 loss. Will Verlander be a starter in the Astros postseason pitching rotation? Matt and Ross also react to Kyle Tucker confirming a fracture in his shin, review the opening weekend of college football that saw the Cougars lose 27-7 to the UNLV Rebels, preview the Texans preparing for their Week 1 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts, give their latest "Gut Feelings" and more.

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show discuss Houston Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker, who revealed he sustained a small fracture after fouling a ball off his right shin on June 3. The injury, which has kept Tucker off the field for three months, was originally labeled as a contusion, raising questions about the lengthy recovery process. Matt and Ross speculate on the details of Tucker's fracture. Did the Astros address the injury appropriately?

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show recap the Houston Astros avoiding the series sweep by shutting out the Philadelphia Phillies 10-0 on Wednesday. Yordan Alvarez smacked three home runs for his third career three-homer game, and Spencer Arrighetti struck out 11 batters and had a no-hitter through seven innings. Brian McTaggart, Astros beat reporter for MLB.com, joins to discuss Chas McCormick getting optioned to Triple-A to make room for Jason Heyward, whom the Astros are planning to add to the active roster. Matt and Ross also react to UTSA head football coach Jeff Traylor's stance on NIL, talk with Dr. Roto about fantasy football drafts, say "I Just Don't Get It" and more.

Brian McTaggart, Astros beat reporter for MLB.com, joins The Matt Thomas Show after the Astros avoided the sweep by shutting out the Philadelphia Phillies 10-0 on Wednesday. Yordan Alvarez recorded a two-run homer and two solo shots for his third career three-homer game. Spencer Arrighetti struck out 11 batters and held a no-hitter through seven innings. Chas McCormick also homered Wednesday but was optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land after the game concluded. "I do think Chas will be back," perhaps closer to the playoffs, because "he's got value," McTaggart said. Space is now cleared for veteran outfielder Jason Heyward, whom the Astros are expected to add to their active roster ahead of a four-game series against the Kansas City Royals. "I suspect [Heyward will] be starting in right field tonight." The Astros hold a 3.5-game lead over the Seattle Mariners in the AL West and are projected to make the postseason. With the addition of Yusei Kikuchi and other members of the rotation stepping up, the Astros have six quality starters, raising questions about who would take the mound in a playoff series. "It's a great problem to have if your Joe Espada." Despite giving up four runs and seven hits in five innings during Tuesday's 5-0 loss, "there is no way that Justin Verlander does not start a game in the playoffs." After September 1, all MLB teams will have an expanded roster of 28 players up from the standard 26. The Astros will be able to add a pitcher and a position player. While McTaggart believes the Astros will add a third catcher, there is a toss up between Forrest Whitley and Rafael Montero, who are both pitching well in Triple-A. "My gut tells me it will be Montero."

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show react to the Philadelphia Phillies shutting out the Houston Astros 5-0 on Tuesday, causing the Astros to lose six of their last eight games. Matt and Ross also recap the Texans finalizing their initial 53-man roster cuts, talk with University of Houston Cougars football head coach Willie Fritz, review the most expensive guarantee games this college football season, 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 ahead of his debut with the school on Saturday against the UNLV Rebels. Fritz discusses jumping "hot and heavy" into the transfer portal this offseason, having a "relatively healthy" training camp and his expectations for the upcoming season.

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show recap the Houston Astros dropping the first of a three-game road series to the Philadelphia Phillies following Bryce Harper's walk-off hit in the 10th inning. Manager Joe Espada joins to discuss the balance between resting players during a long stretch and having "all hands on deck" in a tight postseason race. Outfielder Ben Gamel also joins to talk about his recent starts in right field and his journey around MLB. Matt and Ross review the Texans 53-man roster cuts as the deadline approaches, break down the social media feud between sports betting influencers Lucy Burdge and Taylor Mathis, give their latest "Gut Feelings" and more.