Matt & Ross In The Morning

Houston Astros manager Joe Espada joins The Matt Thomas Show following Monday's 6-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays. The Astros, who hold a half-game lead in the AL West, are "carrying some momentum" during this six-game win streak, Espada said. Framber Valdez earned the win Monday, allowing one run on three hits and one walk and striking out nine over five innings. Valdez struggled early in the season when paired with catcher Yainer Diaz, as emphasized by the May 20 loss to the Los Angeles Angels, where Valdez admitted to deviating from the game plan. However, Valdez has gone 7-0 with a 2.68 ERA in nine starts since June 23, and Diaz was the catcher for the last seven of those starts. Valdez is "just controlling his emotions," and "Diaz is doing a phenomenal job just getting him back on track." Alex Bregman has homered in each of his past three games and was named American League Co-Players of the Week alongside Yordan Alvarez. "It was just a matter of time" until Bregman got hot, and "he found that consistent swing path that he's been searching for." Espada also talks about exploring playing Zach Dezenzo in left field, communicating with Alvarez about when to DH, Kyle Tucker working to return from injury and Justin Verlander beginning his rehab assignment with Double-A Corpus Christi.

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show react to the Houston Astros sweeping the Boston Red Sox following Sunday's 10-2 victory. Despite winning the three-game series, the Astros did not extend their lead in the AL West as the Seattle Mariners swept the New York Mets over the weekend. The Astros now face the Tampa Bay Rays for a three-game road series starting Monday. Matt and Ross recap the Texans defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers in their second preseason matchup, debate the greatest basketball shot of all time following Steph Curry's three that secured the gold medal for USA men's basketball in the Olympcs, review the latest college football preseason rankings, play "To Tell The Truth" and more.

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show preview the Houston Astros taking on the Boston Red Sox for a three-game road series starting Friday. Ronel Blanco will begin the series on the mound as the Astros look to extend their lead in the AL West. Rookie Zach Dezenzo joins to discuss how he found out he got promoted and getting comfortable at first base. Matt and Ross also comment on the Texans preparing to face the Pittsburgh Steelers for their second preseason matchup, give their live reactions to the various events of the Summer Olympics, tell their "Non-Florida Stories" and more on this "Anything Goes Friday."

Houston Astros rookie Zach Dezenzo joins The Matt Thomas Show ahead of a three-game road series against the Boston Red Sox. Dezenzo made his Major League debut Tuesday versus the Texas Rangers and went 0-for-4; however, in the following game, the infielder was positioned at first base and went 2-for-3 with a double and a walk. "I'm still trying to take it all in," but "I feel a little bit more settled in now," Dezenzo said. The Astros have struggled with consistent production at first base, as seen with the release of veteran Jose Abreu on June 14 and platooning between Jon Singleton and Mauricio Dubón. "I feel like I can get the job done" at first base, and "I understand the importance of my role on this team." Dezenzo was selected in the 12th round from Ohio State in the 2022 MLB Draft and spent only 11 games at Triple-A, splitting time between third base and first base. "It's definitely unique, and there's an art to" working around the bag at first. Dezenzo also tells the story of how he found out he got promoted, recalls attending athlete bible study with Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud, signing the "Green Monster" at Fenway Park and more.

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show recap the Houston Astros defeating the Texas Rangers 6-4 on Wednesday to win their eighth straight Silver Boot Series. Brian McTaggart, Astros beat reporter for MLB.com, joins to discuss Yusei Kikuchi performing well in his second start for the Astros and Zach Dezenzo looking comfortable at first base. Matt and Ross discuss Josh Allen's comments on his former teammate and current Texans wide receiver Stefon Diggs, react to Noah Lyles finishing third during the 200-meter final while being diagnosed with COVID in the Olympics, tell people to "Shut Yo Bum Ass Up, Ain't Nobody Got Time," say "I Just Don't Get It" and more.

Brian McTaggart, Astros beat reporter for MLB.com, joins The Matt Thomas Show after the Houston Astros defeated the Texas Rangers 6-4 on Wednesday to win their eighth straight Silver Boot Series. The Astros have taken the lead in the AL West as the Seattle Mariners have lost their last three games. "It looks like it's going to be a two-team race," and it's "going to go down the wire," McTaggart said. In his second start as an Astro, Yusei Kikuchi held the Rangers scoreless through five innings before giving up a solo home run in the sixth. The left-handed starter allowed four hits and two runs while striking out eight. "[Kikuchi has] come in and stabilized the rotation a little bit." Despite the series win, the Astros offense has struggled to bring in runners in scoring position. "Until [Kyle] Tucker gets back, [Joe Espada will] just have to get creative" with the lineup. Espada and general manager Dana Brown have even looked to the farm system to add a spark. Zach Dezenzo made his Major League debut Tuesday and went 0-for-4, but improved on Wednesday, going 2-for-3 with one walk and scoring twice while at first base. "[Dezenzo] looked very comfortable at first base." McTaggart also gives an update on Kyle Tucker and Justin Verlander, as both are rehabbing from injuries.

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show review the Houston Astros losing 4-3 to the Texas Rangers following a walk-off home run in the 10th inning. Hunter Brown earned a quality start, allowing one run on three hits and two walks over six innings while striking out four. However, Ryan Pressly and Caleb Ferguson would give up home runs late to hand the Astros their third straight defeat. Manager Joe Espada joins to discuss how the offense is continuing to slump, going 1-for-9 with runners in scoring positions, including 1-for-7 with the bases loaded on Monday. Matt and Ross react to the Astros calling up Zach Dezenzo, talk about Tytus Howard and Stefon Diggs getting shaken up at Texans training camp, comment on Charles Barkley announcing his intent to remain with TNT Sports, give their latest "Gut Feelings" and more.

Houston Astros manager Joe Espada joins The Matt Thomas Show following Monday's 4-3 walk-off loss in the 10th inning. The Astros were one out away from taking the first of a three-game series against the Texas Rangers before Josh Smith hit a two-run homer off reliever Caleb Ferguson. Despite a quality start from Hunter Brown, who allowed one run on three hits and two walks over six innings, the Astros offense continued to struggle, going 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position, including 1-for-7 with the bases loaded. "We've gotten away from who we are as an offense," but "we'll snap out of it," Espada said. "There's no denying" that "fatigue sets in, both mentally and physically...we have to fight and grind through it." Pedro Leon was called up from Triple-A Sugar Land and made his Major League debut Saturday in right field. Leon has "the athleticism and the explosiveness," and we "will continue to give him some opportunities." General manager Dana Brown suggested that the Astros could call up Shay Whitcomb and/or Zach Dezenzo, and Espada relayed that message, saying they are "strongly considering bringing those guys up." Young players "can give some of our veterans" rest, but "you want them to land on their feet" when they get to the Majors. Yusei Kikuchi made his Astros debut Friday, pitching 5.2 innings and giving up three hits, two earned runs and three walks. Kikuchi is expected to return to the mound for the Astros on Wednesday. "I expect him to go out there and have another strong performance."

Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show, along with Stan Norfleet of Next Up, recap the Houston Astros dropping the three-game series to the Tampa Bay Rays following Sunday's 1-0 loss. Despite effective pitching from Yusei Kikuchi and Spencer Arrighetti, the Astros offense only managed to score four runs across the series. Over the weekend, manager Joe Espada announced that pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. would miss the rest of the season. Ross also talks about the status of Kyle Tucker, debates the future of first base, reacts to head coach DeMeco Ryans confirming that starters will play Friday against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Texans second preseason game, plays "To Tell The Truth," reviews the latest "Headlines" with producer Connor McGovern and more.

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show preview the Houston Astros hosting the Tampa Bay Rays for a three-game series starting Friday. Caleb Ferguson, a reliever the Astros traded for prior to the MLB trade deadline, joins to discuss how he found out he was heading to Houston and his excitement to join the team. Matt and Ross also react to the Astros claiming right-handed pitcher Janson Junk off waivers from the Milwaukee Brewers, recap the Texans losing 21-17 to the Chicago Bears in the NFL Hall of Fame game after the matchup was cancelled due to inclement weather, tell their "Non-Florida Stories" and more on this "Anything Goes Friday."