Matt & Ross In The Morning

Manager Joe Espada joins The Matt Thomas Show to review the Houston Astros losing 6-1 to the Atlanta Braves on Monday at Minute Maid Park. The Astros are now 6-12 to start the season, and Espada says they "haven't been able to put everything together both offensively and defensively." Things fell apart in the first game against the Braves when Josh Hader took the mound in a non-save situation with the Braves leading 2-1. Hader allowed four runs on four hits and a walk in the top of the ninth inning. "I still want the city to be excited about the backend of our bullpen," we just have "got to be able to hit our spots," and "we'll turn things around," Espada said. Despite the loss, Spencer Arrighetti had a strong start on the mound in his home debut, getting 15 swings-and-misses out of his 87 pitches. "His presence on the mound was better" than his debut against the Kansas City Royals, and "his performance was better than what the box score showed." Espada also discusses Forrest Whitley getting called-up, Justin Verlander and Framber Valdez's return and Hunter Brown maintaining his confidence.

Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show, along with Stan Norfleet of Next Up and Adam Clanton and Adam Wexler of The A-Team, react to the Houston Astros defeating the Texas Rangers 8-5 Sunday at Minute Maid Park to lead the season record of the Silver Boot Series 4-3. The Astros will host the Atlanta Braves for a three-game series starting Monday. The Rockets were victorious in their season finale against the Los Angeles Clippers, winning 116-105 on the road Sunday to finish with a 41-41 record. This is the first time the Rockets have finished with at least a .500 season record since 2019-2020. The Rockets were unable to make the postseason as this year's Western Conference was the first conference in NBA history to have 11 teams without a losing record. Ross also reviews the latest comments from head coach DeMeco Ryans as the Texans begin organized offseason workouts, speculates whether minor leaguer Joey Loperfido will be brought up to replace Jose Abreu at first base and more.

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show recap the Kansas City Royals completing the sweep over the Houston Astros with a 13-3 win Thursday. Starting pitcher Hunter Brown set a MLB record for the most hits given up in less than a full inning. The Astros return to Minute Maid Park to host the Texas Rangers for a three-game series starting Friday. The Rockets lost 121-124 on the road to the Utah Jazz in game that they were favored to win. The loss brings the Rockets' season record to 39-41, and with two games left, the best the Rockets can finish is breaking even at a .500 record. Matt and Ross also react to the passing of O.J. Simpson, tell their "Non-Florida Stories" and more on this Anything Goes Friday.

Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka joins The Matt Thomas Show following the disappointing 121-124 loss to the Utah Jazz on Thursday. In his postgame comments, Udoka did not shy away from expressing his disapproval of the on-court effort, saying "it's who I am" because "guys will see through the fake or the phony." "You may not like it at times, but you have to respect it" and "guys respond to it well." With only two games left in the season, Udoka says it's important that the Rockets were able to play "meaningful basketball" late in the season, "accomplishing something that they haven't in a while" despite not achieving the "goal which was making the playoffs." After Alperen Şengün went down with injury, rookie Amen Thompson joined the starting lineup, and Udoka says Thompson was able to figure out "a whole new way to play basketball," going from running the point most of his career to working off-ball and defending one-through-five on the court.

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show recap the Houston Astros losing 4-3 to the Kansas City Royals in extra innings. Brian McTaggart, Astros beat reporter for MLB.com, joins to discuss Framber Valdez being placed on the 15-day injury list, Spencer Arrighetti making his debut on the mound and José Abreu's slow start to the season. The Rockets defeated the Orlando Magic 118-106 Tuesday in their final home game of the season. Veteran guard Fred VanVleet recorded a season-high 37 points, along with 8 rebounds and 6 assists. Matt and Ross address rumors surrounding Houston getting an NHL team, 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 following the Astros losing 4-3 to the Kansas City Royals in extra innings. The Astros cycled through five relievers in the loss, increasing concerns over the heavy load for the bullpen who is already working through injuries to starting pitching. Framber Valdez was placed on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with elbow soreness. "It does look like he'll be out for a while," McTaggart said. The Astros have called up their top pitching prospect in Spencer Arrighetti to make his major league debut Wednesday. The Astros "knew [Arrighetti] would be in the rotation sometime this year," but they are "at the end of their starting pitching depth" and are "counting on a lot of unproven guys to cover those innings." McTaggart also addresses the concerns over José Abreu's slow start to the season, saying "he's not as worried about the offense" as he his about the current state of starting pitching.

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show review the Houston Astros splitting the Silver Boot Series 2-2 against the Texas Rangers after a 10-5 victory Monday. Manager Joe Espada joins to give the latest update on Framber Valdez who was scratched from Monday's game, and reliever Tayler Scott recaps the bullpen's performance following a rough start on the mound for prospect Blair Henley. Matt and Ross preview the Rockets home finale against the Orlando Magic, discuss UConn winning back-to-back national championships, give their latest "Gut Feelings" and more.

Astros reliever Tayler Scott joins The Matt Thomas Show following his performance in the 10-5 victory over the Texas Rangers to split the Silver Boot Series 2-2. The Astros signed Scott to a minor-league deal in the offseason, and Scott made the roster after a good spring training. "I'm just trying to stick to the mindset that I had in spring," Scott said. Prior to joining the Astros, Scott played with the Oakland Athletics, Los Angeles Dodgers and the Boston Red Sox. The goal has always been to "become a legit part of a Major League bullpen," and "you have to be way more consistent" in MLB versus Triple-A. Scott was born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa, and in 2019, he became the first pitcher from South Africa to reach the Major Leagues. "I didn't grow up watching any baseball," but "I played any sport with a ball that I could" and baseball "was an opportunity to help me get out of South Africa."

Manager Joe Espada joins The Matt Thomas Show to review the Houston Astros splitting the Silver Boot Series 2-2 against the Texas Rangers. The Astros tied the series with 10-5 victory Monday; however, hours before first pitch, expected starter Framber Valdez was scratched. Valdez "expressed some soreness and tightness in the forearm era" after playing catch ahead of his start, and "we are waiting to hear from [team doctors]," Espada said. The Astros called up Blair Henley to make his major league debut, but the prospect had an unfortunate showing, facing nine batters and allowing five earned runs in just a third of an inning. "He prepared to the best of his ability," but "it happens to veteran pitchers" and he's "going to get another opportunity." Despite a bad start, the bullpen "stepped-up big time" and allowed no additional scores. Seth Martinez is "fearless" and "he's not afraid to pound the zone." First baseman Jose Abreu has slipped down the batting lineup, but Espada thinks "it's just a matter of time" before "he'll break out of it." As Valdez deals with injury, the Astros are short at starting pitching. "This stretch right here is testing our will and focus."

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show recap the Houston Rockets losing on the road to the Dallas Mavericks. The Rockets were up 129-126 when Jabari Smith Jr. missed two free throws giving the Mavericks a chance to tie which they did with a Dante Exum three-pointer as time expired. The Rockets lost 147-136 in overtime and were officially eliminated from the postseason. The Rockets still have four games remaining in the season and still have a shot at finishing over .500. The Astros currently sit at 1-2 in the Silver Boot Series against the Texas Rangers. Ronel Blanco started on the mound for the Astros during the 3-1 win Sunday. Combined with his no-hitter last Monday against the Toronto Blue Jays, Blanco took another no-hitter into the sixth inning before Adolis García recorded a single. Blanco's 14 2/3-inning hitless streak is the longest in the Expansion Era. Framber Valdez was expected to take the mound in the final game of the series Monday, but the Astros have called up right-handed pitcher Blair Henley to start today's game and make his major league debut. Matt and Ross talk about WrestleMania 40, watch the eclipse, play "To Tell the Truth" and more.