Matt & Ross In The Morning

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show recap the Houston Astros losing 4-2 to the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday, making it two straight road losses. The Astros are now 5.5 games back from the lead in the AL West. Hunter Brown started on the mound, allowing only one run on four hits and no walks while striking out nine in six innings. Even though Brown had one of his best performances of the season, things would unravel for the Astros as Ryan Pressly blew his fourth save of the season in the eighth inning. Third baseman Alex Bregman recorded a home run after moving back in the batting lineup; however, he would also commit a throwing error to help the Mariners rally for the win. Matt and Ross react to the Texans signing wide receiver Nico Collins to a three-year, $72.75 million extension, discuss the criminal charges being dropped against world No. 1 golfer Scottie Scheffler, 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 review the Houston Astros defeating the Oakland Athletics to earn a series win; however, the Astros traveled to Seattle and dropped the first game against the Mariners. First baseman Jose Abreu returned to the lineup in Monday's 3-2 loss, recording an RBI single. Astros manager Joe Espada joins to discuss his plan for how Abreu will find himself in the lineup. The Astros had some difficulty with umpire Larry Vanover's strike zone, and right fielder Kyle Tucker joins to provide some insight on the matter. Matt and Ross say goodbye to controversial umpire Ángel Hernández after he announced his retirement, comment on Apple Music's 100 best albums list, remember NBA Hall of Famer Bill Walton, give their latest "Gut Feelings" and more.

Astros right fielder Kyle Tucker joins The Matt Thomas Show ahead of the second of a four-game series on the road against the Seattle Mariners. The Astros dropped the first game versus the Mariners 3-2 on Monday after earning a series win against the Athletics in Oakland. Tucker recorded a home run on Sunday, continuing to lead MLB with 18 home runs on the season. Tucker talks about how he is improving his at-bats, his superstition with changing cleats, Astros fans traveling with the team and more.

Houston Astros manager Joe Espada joins The Matt Thomas Show following a 3-2 loss in the first of a four-game series on the road against the Seattle Mariners. Framber Valdez gave up three runs on four hits in the first inning, but recovered, allowing two hits and no runs the rest of the game. Valdez "actually settled down" and "his tempo was much better," Espada said. Despite getting a quality start from Valdez, the Astros starting rotation took another hit as Cristian Javier, who was scheduled to start Tuesday, was placed on the 15-day injured list, and Jose Urquidy aggravated a forearm strain in a rehab start for Triple-A Sugar Land on Friday. Both pitchers are "getting some imaging done" and are "not feeling great about the news," Espada said. "We need them back in our rotation." First baseman Jose Abreu returned to the lineup in Monday's 3-2 loss, recording an RBI single. We're "really excited to have him back" and "his swing looks different" so "he's going to get some playing time." The Astros demoted Abreu to the Florida Complex League on May 1 after batting .099 in 22 games. Abreu was sent to Triple-A Sugar Land on Friday and went 0-for-7 with three strikeouts in two games. With Abreu brought back up, the corresponding move saw Joey Loperfido sent down to Triple-A. It would be "very difficult to get [Loprefido] some playing time" and "he needs everyday at bats." Alex Bregman went 2-for-4 with a walk Sunday against the Athletics, earning his first multi-hit game in his last eight starts, but went 0-for-4 Monday against the Mariners. "I'm going to drop him to fifth today" in the batting lineup because "we haven't seen the consistency in Alex Bregman that we've seen in the past."

Matt Thomas of The Matt Thomas Show and Dan Mathews of The A-Team react to the news that first baseman José Abreu will be joining the Houston Astros Triple-A affiliate Sugar Land Space Cowboys on Friday. Abreu was demoted to the Florida Complex League on May 1 and could rejoin the Astros as early as this weekend against the Oakland Athletics, according to general manager Dana Brown. The Astros begin a three-game series in Oakland starting Friday with Justin Verlander on the mound. 
Ronel Blanco was ejected from May 14's matchup against the Athletics after umpires found a foreign substance on his glove. Blanco then received a 10-game suspension but looks to return to the Astros rotation Sunday in Oakland. Matt and Dan review the $2.8 billion settlement in the House v. NCAA case, tell their "Non-Florida Stories" and more on this Anything Goes Friday.

Matt Thomas of The Matt Thomas Show and Dan Mathews of The A-Team discuss the Houston Astros losing two of their last three games to go 7-3 over a 10-game home stand. Hunter Brown had a quality start on the mound Sunday, giving up just two earned runs in six innings of work and striking out three, but the Astros would lose 2-1 to the Los Angeles Angels. Brian McTaggart, Astros beat reporter for MLB.com, joins to provide insight into the possible lineup changes that could come with Jose Urquidy and Jose Abreu returning to the Astros. Matt and Dan review the latest updates concerning Scottie Scheffler's arrest at the PGA Championship, reflect on Turner Broadcasting losing their NBA media rights, react to the announcement of the host sites for the World Baseball Classic, tell people to "Shut Yo Bum Ass Up, Ain't Nobody Got Time" and more.

Brian McTaggart, Astros beat reporter for MLB.com, joins The Matt Thomas Show to discuss probable roster changes for the Astros as players return from the injured list, as well as Jose Abreu coming back from extended spring training. Abreu was demoted to the Florida Complex League on May 1, but during the recent home series against the Milwaukee Brewers, general manager Dana Brown said Abreu will play a few more minor-league games and could join the Astros in Oakland this weekend. The Astros are "getting close to some decision about the roster," McTaggart said. "I think [Joey] Loperfido goes down" when Abreu comes back. With Jon Singleton providing production from first base, how will the Astros fit Abreu back into the lineup? "This is not going to be an easy decision," and "what is the bar to keep him in the lineup?" Starting pitcher Jose Urquidy left a spring training game in March with a right forearm strain, and Urquidy will get his third rehab game on Friday with the Triple-A affiliate in Sugar Land. This could be Urquidy's last rehab game before rejoining the Astros. Hunter Brown had a quality start on the mound Sunday, giving up just two earned runs in six innings of work, striking out three, but the Astros would lose 2-1. The Astros "might be getting away from the six-man rotation," and "every start just gets better and better" for Spencer Arrighetti, so what will the Astros pitching rotation look like? "Competition brings out the best in people."

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show react to the Houston Astros losing 7-9 to the Los Angeles Angels on Monday at Minute Maid Park. Framber Valdez started on the mound and set up the Astros with a 6-1 lead through four innings. However, the fifth inning brought trouble as Valdez gave up seven runs and sent 10 Angels to the plate. Valdez tied his career high for runs allowed with eight, and the Astros would lose 9-7, their largest blown lead of the season. Astros manager Joe Espada joins to discuss Valdez shaking off catcher Yainer Diaz, and starting pitcher Spencer Arrighetti also joins to talk about playing for the Astros as a Houston product. Matt and Ross preview Chas McCormick's return off the injured list, comment on ESPN's east coast bias, review the Texans beginning OTAs, give their latest "Gut Feelings" and more.

Astros starting pitcher Spencer Arrighetti joins The Matt Thomas Show ahead of the second of a three-game series against the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday. Arrighetti was drafted in the sixth-round in 2021 and was the Astros top pitching prospect. With multiple starters on the injured list, Arrighetti was called up and made his debut for the Astros on April 10 against the Kansas City Royals. He gave up seven earned runs in a loss to the Royals and would begin his MLB career 0-4. However, Arrighetti has won his last two starts, with the latest coming in a 9-4 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers where Arrighetti allowed four runs on seven hits and two walks over 6.1 innings (longest outing of his career), striking out six. "I got the lineup card for my first win," and "it means that much more to me" playing for the Astros as a former Cinco Ranch High School product. Arrighetti also discusses working on his change-up, keeping a consistent routine and the secret to maintaining his hair flow.

Manager Joe Espada joins The Matt Thomas Show following the Houston Astros losing 7-9 to the Los Angeles Angels on Monday at Minute Maid Park. Framber Valdez started on the mound and set up the Astros with a 6-1 lead through four innings. However, the fifth inning brought trouble as Valdez gave up seven runs and sent 10 Angels to the plate. Valdez tied his career high for runs allowed with eight, and the Astros would lose 9-7, their largest blown lead of the season. After the game, catcher Yainer Daiz, Valdez and Espada all said Valdez deviated from the game plan and shook Diaz off on some pitches. "It's a learning experience for both guys." When asked why Valdez was left in the game, Espada said "we've been going through our bullpen pretty heavily here" during this homestand, and "it's asking a lot," so starters need to go deep into games. Monday's outing was one of the worst of Valdez's career; however, Espada still has confidence in the starting pitcher's ability. "He has one of the best sinkers in the game." Jose Abreu was demoted to the Florida Complex League on May 1, but during the weekend series against the Milwaukee Brewers, general manager Dana Brown said José Abreu will play a few more minor-league games and could join the Astros in Oakland this weekend. Abreu "has a much cleaner swing" and "he sounds like he's ready to go...I think it will be beneficial" for Abreu to play in a minor-league game. Espada also talks about Kyle Tucker's spot in the batting lineup, Jake Meyer's recent success, getting players back from the injured list and Joey Loperfido's value as a left bat.