Matt & Ross In The Morning

Houston Astros reliever Caleb Ferguson joins The Matt Thomas Show ahead of a weekend series against the Tampa Bay Rays at Minute Maid Park. The Astros sent Minor League pitcher Kelly Austin and $750,000 in international bonus money to the New York Yankees for Ferguson prior to the MLB trade deadline on Tuesday. "I'm excited to be in a place that is in contention to play in October," Ferguson said. The reliever was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2014 and made his debut in 2018. Ferguson began this season with the Dodgers before being traded to the Yankees during spring training. He holds a 5.13 ERA through 33.3 innings across 42 appearances with one save this season. Ferguson details how he found out he got traded to Houston, how he transitioned from a starter to a reliever, recovering from Tommy John surgery twice and more.

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show react to the Houston Astros avoiding the sweep against the Pittsburgh Pirates with Wednesday's 5-4 victory. Mauricio Dubon pinch hit for Jon Singleton in the sixth inning and recorded a two-run home run to give the Astros the lead. Brian McTaggart, Astros beat reporter for MLB.com, joins to break down the Astros following the MLB trade deadline and how Rafael Montero was designated for assignment and Seth Martinez was optioned to make room for Yusei Kikuchi and Caleb Ferguson. Matt and Ross also preview the Texans playing in the Hall of Fame game against the Chicago Bears, say "I Just Don't Get It" and more.

Brian McTaggart, Astros beat reporter for MLB.com, joins The Matt Thomas Show following the Houston Astros avoiding the sweep against the Pittsburgh Pirates with Wednesday's 5-4 victory. The Astros were able to end a three-game losing streak; however, the offense is still "underwhelming," McTaggart said. Prior to the MLB trade deadline, the Astros traded Jake Bloss, Will Wagner and Joey Loperfido to the Toronto Blue Jays for left-handed starter Yusei Kikuchi, adding pitching depth to an injured rotation. "They got a guy who they think can eat innings," and "they don't need him to pitch at this elite level." While the price was high to acquire Kikuchi, the Astros are "trying to win now," and who knows what prospects like Jake Bloss are "going to be in five years?" McTaggart also comments on Kyle Tucker moving to the 60-day injured list. Tucker is "not close to a Minor League rehab assignment."

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show reflect on the Houston Astros following the MLB trade deadline. In total, the Astros gave up Joey Loperfido, Will Wagner, Jake Bloss, Kelly Austin and $750,000 in international bonus money for Yankees reliever Caleb Ferguson and Blue Jays starter Yusei Kikuchi. The trades have overshadowed the Astros three-game losing streak, relinquishing the AL West lead after Tuesday's 6-2 loss to the Pirates. Matt and Ross also preview the Texans playing in the Hall of Fame game against the Chicago Bears on Thursday, discuss the latest at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, tell people to "Shut Yo Bum Ass Up, Ain't Nobody Got Time" and more.

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show recap the Houston Astros trading Joey Loperfido, Jake Bloss and Will Wagner to the Toronto Blue Jays for left-handed starter Yusei Kikuchi. The deal was officially announced following Monday's 5-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates, which saw Josh Hader give up a three-run homer in the ninth inning. Manager Joe Espada joins to discuss the loss and how Kikuchi will fit into the Astros rotation. During the show, news breaks that the Astros are trading High A right-hander Kelly Austin and international bonus pool money to the New York Yankees for reliever Caleb Ferguson. Matt and Ross also preview the Texans against the Chicago Bears in the Hall of Fame game, give their latest "Gut Feelings" and more.

Houston Astros manager Joe Espada joins The Matt Thomas Show following a trade with the Toronto Blue Jays for left-handed starter Yusei Kikuchi. Rookie starter Jake Bloss was scratched ahead of Monday's 5-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates at Minute Maid Park. At the game's conclusion, it was announced that Bloss, along with rookie outfielder Joey Loperfido and No. 13 prospect Will Wagner, were being sent to the Blue Jays for the 33-year-old Kikuchi. "It's not easy. It's part of the business," Espada said. "We really need this injection of someone who we've seen for years get deep in games, save our bullpen, and give us an opportunity to win every day." While Kikuchi hasn't been consistent most of this season (0-4 with a 7.75 ERA and 1.57 WHIP in his last eight starts), Espada believes the Astros coaching staff can help Kikuchi be more efficient. "I'm confident we're going to make those adjustments and make him a better pitcher." Espada also says Justin Verlander and Luis Garcia are both making a "huge step forward" in returning from injury and comments on the Astros preparing for the last stretch of the season. "This is when you start seeing the character and makeup of your team."

Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show, along with Chris Gordy of Next Up and Adam Clanton of The A-Team, react to Houston Texans defensive end Denico Autry getting suspended for six games for violating the NFL's policy against performance-enhancing substances. The Texans signed Autry to a two-year, $20 million deal in March. Ross also recaps the Astros winning two out of a three-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers to hold their lead in the AL West, debates the effectiveness of heckling in sports, plays "To Tell The Truth" and more.

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show review the Houston Astros avoiding the sweep against the Oakland Athletics with Wednesday's 8-1 victory. Hunter Brown earned the win, allowing one run on eight hits and a walk with eight strikeouts over six innings. Brian McTaggart, Astros beat reporter for MLB.com, joins to discuss the Astros concluding their .500 road trip with the lead in the AL West and returning to Houston to host the Los Angeles Dodgers for a weekend series starting Friday. Matt and Ross also react to an altercation between players on day six of Texans training camp, discuss the NBA signing a new 11-year media rights deal, 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 concluded their .500 road trip with Wednesday's 8-1 victory over the Oakland Athletics. 
With the Los Angeles Angels sweeping the Seattle Mariners, the Astros take the lead in the AL West. Seattle's "offense is so bad," so the division race "is very much wide open" for the Astros, McTaggart said. The Astros are returning to Minute Maid Park to host the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Astros schedule is "not getting any easier," so "they just got to worry about the division at this point." The MLB trade deadline is approaching on July 30, and the Astros have areas of concern that could be addressed through a deal. "If they don't" get a pitcher, "then something drastically has gone wrong." However, McTaggart says there are some "untouchables" when it comes to trade capital within the Astros organization, specifically Jacob Melton, A.J. Blubaugh and Brice Matthews. "These teams want young value."