Stan Norfleet and Chris Gordy of Next Up discuss Jon Singleton's improvement at first base following the Astros completing the series sweep over the Miami Marlins on Thursday. After the release of Jose Abreu, playing time at first base was divided between Singleton and utilityman Mauricio Dubón; however, Singleton has received the majority of the starts as of late and has provided stability at a mostly problematic position for the Astros this season. The Astros are currently on a nine-game home win streak and are two games back from the lead in the AL West. With the MLB trade deadline approaching on July 30, will the Astros look to improve at first base or will Singleton remain the primary starter?

Stan Norfleet and Chris Gordy of Next Up recap the Houston Astros defeating the Miami Marlins 9-1 on Wednesday at Minute Maid Park. Framber Valdez allowed one run on six hits and a walk while striking out 10 over seven innings. Yordan Alvarez was removed from the game due to right hip tightness in the fourth. The Astros will attempt to complete the sweep over the Marlins with Jake Bloss on the mound Thursday. Matt and Ross talk with Rob Parker of Fox Sports Radio about whether C.J. Stroud can dethrone Patrick Mahomes in the AFC, review the USA men's basketball team defeating Canada in an exhibition match before the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris with Carlan Gay of The Sporting News and more.

Rob Parker of Fox Sports Radio joins Next Up to defend his latest comments regarding the Houston Texans led by quarterback C.J. Stroud. Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs are at the top of the AFC after winning back-to-back Super Bowls. With a playoff appearance in the AFC Divisional Round last season and and an improved roster ahead of the 2024-25 season, many have high expectations for the Texans; however, "people nowadays are prisoners of the moment," Parker said. Who can dethrone Mahomes in the AFC? "I don't think it's C.J. [Stroud] in year two."

Stan Norfleet and Chris Gordy of Next Up recap the Houston Astros defeating the Miami Marlins 4-3 on Tuesday at Minute Maid Park. Ronel Blanco allowed two runs in seven innings, extending the Astros home winning streak to seven games. Hader walked one and struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save. Prior to Tuesday's victory, manager Joe Espada confirmed that Lance McCullers Jr. has suffered a setback in his rehab from injury, and Will Kunkel, sports director at FOX 26 Houston, joins to provide some insight into McCullers' difficult journey to return to the mound. Stan and Chris debate whether the current Texans have the most talented roster in franchise history, react to the latest comments from the Big 12 commissioner and more.

Will Kunkel, sports director at FOX 26 Houston, joins Next Up to discuss Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr., who suffered a setback in his injury rehab. Manager Joe Espada confirmed the news that McCullers is being shut down after his arm wasn't responding well between bullpen sessions. The 30-year-old has not pitched since the 2022 World Series and was been working his way back from a June 2023 surgery to repair his flexor tendon. Kunkel breaks down his latest sit-down interview with McCullers, who opened up about his challenging journey to return to the mound.

Stan Norfleet and Chris Gordy of Next Up preview the Houston Astros hosting the Miami Marlins for a three-game series starting Tuesday at Minute Maid Park. Ronel Blanco will start on the mound. Stan and Chris also discuss Jabari Smith Jr. and Amen Thompson of the Rockets playing for the USA Basketball Select Team, debate what is the biggest concern for the Texans ahead of the upcoming season and more.

Stan Norfleet and Chris Gordy of Next Up discuss the high expectations for the Houston Texans as the 2024-25 NFL season approaches. Quarterback C.J. Stroud, the current Offensive Rookie of the Year, has received a lot of praise for leading the Texans to an AFC South Title, an AFC Divisional Round playoff appearance and a 10-7 record last season. However, with a strengthened roster and predicted success, will Stroud and the Texans be able to block out the noise and focus on preparing for the challenging schedule ahead?

Stan Norfleet of Next Up recaps the Houston Astros dropping the second game of a four-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday. Spencer Arrighetti had a rough outing during the Astros 7-6 loss, allowing six runs on six hits and four walks across four innings. Ronel Blanco will start on the mound for game three Wednesday. Stan talks with KHOU's Jason Bristol about the Astros closing the gap in the division race and the Rockets drafting Reed Sheppard. Eric Edholm, lead draft writer for NFL.com, also joins to discuss the Texans heading into the 2024 NFL season.

Eric Edholm, lead draft writer for NFL.com, joins Next Up to defend his latest article that ranks "five NFL offseason storylines that are overblown." In the article, Edholm ranks the "Texans as Super Bowl contenders" fifth for overblown offseason storylines. While acknowledging that the Texans "are a better team on paper than they were a year ago," Edholm emphasizes that "there are steps backward all the time" in the NFL. "Progress isn't linear in this league," and the second half of Texans' regular season schedule is "going to be an issue," Edholm said.

Jason Bristol, Emmy award-winning journalist for KHOU, joins Next Up to discuss the Houston Astros climbing above a .500 record and moving to three games back from the lead in the AL West. Bristol also comments on the Rockets drafting Reed Sheppard, a guard from the University of Kentucky, with the No. 3 overall pick.