Matt & Ross In The Morning

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show react to the breaking news that the Houston Astros have released Jose Abreu from their Major League roster. Matt and Ross also preview the weekend series against the Detroit Tigers at Minute Maid Park, predict the outcome of the NBA Finals, relive the moment DeAndre Hopkins was traded away from the Texans and more.

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show react to the breaking news that the Houston Astros have released Jose Abreu from their Major League roster. Abreu, a former American League MVP and three-time All-Star, spent nine years with the Chicago White Sox before signing with the Astros during free agency in November 2022. The 37-year-old first baseman was in the second of a three-year, $58.5 million contract, batting .124 with two homers and seven RBI. In May, Abreu agreed to an assignment in the Florida Complex League and ended up playing in two games at Triple-A before rejoining the Astros on May 27. The Astros still owe Abreu $30.8 million of his contract.

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show review the Houston Astros finishing their road trip 3-3 against the Los Angeles Angels and San Francisco Giants. After a 5-3 loss against the Giants on Wednesday, the Astros are now 8.5 games back from the lead in the AL West. Astros manager Joe Espada joins to discuss falling back in the division and the lack of production from first base. Matt and Ross talk about the Dallas Mavericks losing the first three games of the NBA Finals, react to Houston being top-ranked in an interesting category, tell people to "Shut Yo Bum Ass Up, Ain't Nobody Got Time," say "I Just Don't Get It" and more.

Houston Astros manager Joe Espada joins The Matt Thomas Show following a 3-3 road trip against the Los Angeles Angels and San Francisco Giants. Framber Valdez started on the mound Wednesday, recording a season-low four innings while allowing eight hits and five earned runs. Espada said it "was [his] decision" to pull Valdez and rely on the bullpen. The Astros lost 5-3 against the Giants, dropping the series 2-1. With the Seattle Mariners beating the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday, the Astros are now 8.5 games back from the lead in the AL West. "It's not where we want to be," Espada said. "Adversity is what makes and builds your character," but there's "no time to feel sorry for anyone." 
The Astros return to Minute Maid Park for a three-game series against the Detroit Tigers starting Friday. "This storm shall pass, and it will." The Astros offense has suffered without Kyle Tucker or Yainer Diaz in the lineup; however, Diaz is "moving in the right direction" and is expected to play Friday. Tucker will not play Friday but could return sometime "over the weekend." Jon Singleton appeared in the lineup Wednesday, batting in the cleanup spot as the designated hitter, but went 0-4 at the plate. Jose Abreu started at first base and batted eighth, going 0-3 with his at-bats. "Jon deserves an opportunity to play," but "we need to get some production" from first base. "We need Jose to turn a corner," Espada said.

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show recap the Houston Astros defeating the San Francisco Giants 3-1 to tie the series at a game apiece. The Astros will attempt to win three series in a row with the final game against the Giants on Wednesday. Matt and Ross review comments from Bill O'Brien who addressed his time as the Texans head coach and general manager, relive a funny interaction with a caller, react to the passing of NBA legend Jerry West, preview game three of the NBA Finals and more.

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show react to former Houston Texans head coach and general manager Bill O'Brien, who made an appearance on the "Next Up With Adam Breneman" podcast to reflect on his time in Houston, saying he regretted taking on the general manager responsibility.

Brian McTaggart, Astros beat reporter for MLB.com, joins The Astros On-Deck Show following a 3-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday at Oracle Park. The Astros were able to get back on track after two consecutive walk-off losses. Ronel Blanco started on the mound and struck out eight batters, allowing only one run in six innings. The bullpen protected the lead with Tayler Scott, Bryan Abreu and Ryan Pressly each throwing a scoreless inning. Framber Valdez will start on Wednesday as the Astros attempt to earn three straight series wins. Jon Singleton returns to the lineup, batting in the cleanup spot as the designated hitter, while Jose Abreu will start at first base, batting eighth. "The lineup is changing on a daily basis," but even if he wanted Singleton to play more at first base, Joe Espada's "hands are tied" because "they have to keep giving Abreu a shot," McTaggart said. The Astros are without Kyle Tucker and Yainer Diaz for Wednesday's matchup. Tucker "hasn't even done any baseball activities yet," so "he's going to need a few more days," but no IL stint will be needed for Diaz because "he could actually play today if they needed him." McTaggart also discusses Ryan Pressly earning a save in his previous role as a closer, the reasoning behind Joey Loperfido being optioned back to Triple-A and more.

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show recap the Houston Astros losing 4-3 to the San Francisco Giants on Monday. Rafael Montero allowed three runs on four hits in the bottom of the 10th inning as the Astros received their second straight walk-off loss. Closer Josh Hader joins to discuss the Astros getting back in the race for the division lead. Matt and Ross comment on Caitlin Clark not making the U.S. women's basketball Olympic roster, react to MLB insider Buster Olney having his X (formerly known as Twitter) account hacked, give their latest "Gut Feelings" and more.

Houston Astros closer Josh Hader joins The Matt Thomas Show following a 4-3 loss on the road against the San Francisco Giants on Monday. Rafael Montero allowed three runs on four hits in the bottom of the 10th inning making it the Astros second walk-off loss in a row after Hader gave up a walk-off two-run homer to the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday. "We need a sense of urgency," Hader said. "We all know that," and "it's not going to be an easy fight," but we have to "stick to what we know" to make a run at the division lead. The Astros currently hold a 30-37 record on the season and are 7.5 games back from the lead in the AL West. Hader discusses signing his five-year, $95 million contract with the Astros, the largest deal ever for a relief pitcher in present-day value. Finalizing the deal was a "pretty quick turnaround" and the thought was to "try and get a World Series with a team that has done it multiple times." The deal allowed Hader to return to the Astros organization after being a member of the minor league system from 2013 to 2015. When Hader joined the Astros, he was given the closer role but has also stepped up and pitched more than one inning on occasion. "I'm available for multiple if we're going to need it." Hader also talks about his "really good relationship" with catchers Victor Caratini and Yainer Díaz, staying warm during night games in San Francisco, the hair tips he shares with Spencer Arrighetti and more.

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show discuss the Houston Astros winning two out of a three-game road series against the Los Angeles Angels, missing out on a sweep opportunity with a 9-7 loss on Sunday. Ryan Pressly took the mound in the eighth inning and allowed a pair of runs that tied the game at seven. Josh Hader finished off the eighth but gave up a walk-off home run in the ninth. The injuries continue to mount for the Astros after third baseman Alex Bregman was hit by a pitch in his left hand, which led him to exit the game, and left fielder Kyle Tucker was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right shin contusion. With most of the concern centered around injured starting pitching, could the Astros look to make a trade before the deadline, and will the abundance of outfielders on the roster serve as the main compensation? Dan Hurley turned down a six-year, $70 million offer from the Los Angeles Lakers to remain the head coach at UConn. The deal would have made Hurley one of the NBA's six highest-paid coaches. Matt and Ross discuss rumors concerning Trevor Bauer returning to MLB, react to Caitlin Clark not making the U.S. women's basketball team for the upcoming Olympics, review the Dallas Mavericks dropping two games in the NBA Finals, play "To Tell the Truth" and more.