Matt & Ross In The Morning

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show preview the Houston Astros hosting the Miami Marlins for a three-game series starting Tuesday with Ronel Blanco on the mound. Manager Joe Espada joins to give the latest updates on the injured Astros and recap the recent road games. Matt and Ross also propose possible trades for the Astros, discuss the Rockets preparing for the NBA Summer League, give their latest "Gut Feelings" and more.

Manager Joe Espada joins The Matt Thomas Show to discuss the team heading into the week before the All-Star Break and heading back to MInute Maid Park in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl.

Ross Villareal and Chris Gordy hit the air for The Matt Thomas Show without Matt. Hurricane Beryl made things a little different today on the show. We did hear from Matt early on in the show. But, the storm has the majority of this show's attention today. But, we also get in some Astros conversation.

Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show and Dan Mathews of The A-Team review the Houston Astros losing 7-6 in the second of a four-game series to the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday. Spencer Arrighetti started on the mound and allowed six runs on six hits and four walks across four innings. Brian McTaggart, Astros beat reporter for MLB.com, joins to discuss what the Astros could do to address the lack of starting pitching before the MLB trade deadline. Left-handed pitcher Bryan King also joins to break down how the bullpen is dealing with the four-man rotation. Ross and Dan recap the Rockets introducing Reed Sheppard, react to Astros trade proposals, give their latest "Gut Feelings," say "Shut Yo Bum Ass Up, Ain't Nobody Got Time" and more.

Houston Astros left-handed pitcher Bryan King joins The Matt Thomas Show prior to the third of a four-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays. King was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in 2019 and was called up from Triple-A Sugar Land on June 22. The 27-year-old made his MLB debut the next day in a 8-1 win over the Baltimore Orioles. King discusses recording his first Major League strikeout against Gunnar Henderson, learning from veterans in the bullpen and dealing with the many injuries to the Astros starting rotation.

Brian McTaggart, Astros beat reporter for MLB.com, joins The Matt Thomas Show following the Houston Astros losing 7-6 in the second of a four-game series to the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday. 
Spencer Arrighetti started on the mound and allowed six runs on six hits and four walks across four innings. Arrighetti is just one of four healthy starting pitchers on the Astros roster, and with the MLB trade deadline approaching on July 30, McTaggart has "zero doubt that they're going to try and add a starter." The Astros "need starting pitching depth," McTaggart said.

Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show and Chris Gordy of Next Up go live from the Toyota Center as the Houston Rockets introduce Reed Sheppard, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. General manager Rafael Stone, head coach Ime Udoka and Sheppard all join the show to discuss the prospect's journey to the NBA. Ross and Chris also talk about the Astros defeating the Toronto Blue Jays 3-1 on Canada Day. Manager Joe Espada joins to preview the second of the four-game series against the Blue Jays that will see Spencer Arrighetti start on the mound.

Reed Sheppard, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, joins The Matt Thomas Show following his introductory press conference for the Houston Rockets. Sheppard, a guard from the University of Kentucky, talks about playing for the same school as both his parents, his excitement to join the Rockets and his mentality heading into the NBA Summer League.

Houston Rockets general manager Rafael Stone and head coach Ime Udoka join The Matt Thomas Show following the introductory press conference for Reed Sheppard, who the Rockets drafted No. 3 overall. Sheppard "came in as a very high level shooter," but we "try and get to know the person" because we are "investing in people at a very young age," Stone said. Udoka also discusses observing Sheppard during the NBA Summer League, giving the Rockets another opportunity "to see who [Sheppard] is." The Rockets will face the Los Angeles Lakers in their first Summer League game on July 12.

Houston Astros manager Joe Espada joins The Matt Thomas Show following Monday's 3-1 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays. Hunter Brown gave up two hits and three walks while recording five strikeouts in six shutout innings to continue his recent hot streak. Brown "stepped up big time" and has "really turned a corner when it comes to his preparation," Espada said. The Astros only have four healthy starting pitchers and had to look to the bullpen for Sunday's 10-5 win over the New York Mets. Shawn Dubin started on the mound and could be "an option to start that first game in Minnesota." Justin Verlander has been on the injured list since June 18 and has just begun throwing "light catch," while Kyle Tucker is still "a few weeks away from seeing" the field. "When they show up, we need them to be healthy...we can't have setbacks," Espada said. Espada also discusses Jose Altuve getting ejected Sunday and Spencer Arrighetti taking the mound for the second of a four-game series against the Blue Jays on Tuesday.