Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show preview the Houston Astros going on the road to take on the New York Yankees in a three-game series starting Tuesday. During the show, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reported that J.P. France has suffered a shoulder injury that could keep him out "a while." Astros manager Joe Espada joins to give an update on France, as well as detail his strategy when it comes to manipulating the lineups. Matt and Ross also discuss Tank Dell recovering from a gunshot wound, react to general manager Dana Brown saying that the Astros will not be a seller, talk about the latest officiating problems in the NBA playoffs and more.
Manager Joe Espada joins The Matt Thomas Show ahead of the first game of a three-game series against the New York Yankees starting Tuesday. Playing at Yankee Stadium is "definitely a different feeling," said Espada as the Astros look to bounce back from a 2-1 series loss to the Seattle Mariners. Minutes before Espada spoke, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reported that J.P. France has a shoulder injury that could keep him out "a while." Espada said "we're not very concerned" right now with the severity of France's injury, but it's "not what you want to hear." The Astros have five healthy Major League starters on its 40-man roster. However, Espada provides some good news that Cristian Javier is returning form injury. "The plan is for him to start this weekend in Detroit." Espada also comments on lineup changes, saying too many adjustments can create confusion. "We have been a very consistent lineup for many years," and "regardless of where you're hitting, you have a job to do" and "we cannot allow the pitcher to control our bats." First baseman Jose Abreu was optioned to Florida for extended spring training, and even though Espada has been talking to Abreu daily, "there's no timetable" for his return to the Astros.
Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show discuss the Houston Astros losing to the Seattle Mariners on Sunday to drop the series 2-1 at Minute Maid Park. Kyle Tucker and Jon Singleton both scored two-run home runs to give the Astros the lead heading into the eighth. However, Bryan Abreu hit the second batter he faced, committed a balk and then allowed an RBI single to tie the game. Josh Hader took over in the ninth and gave up a home run to Cal Raleigh, giving the lead back to the Mariners who would win 5-4. Matt and Ross also talk about J.J. Watt's comments on a possible return to the Texans, ridicule fans for starting "the wave" in the ninth inning, react to jokes from "The Roast of Tom Brady," review the best diss tracks in music history, play "To Tell the Truth" and more.
Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show review the Houston Astros winning their second straight series following a 8-2 victory over the Cleveland Guardians on Thursday. The Astros took the three-game series 2-1 at Minute Maid Park. The Astros have lacked offensive production from the first base position to start the season, leading Jose Abreu to be optioned to extended spring training. However, Jon Singleton has proven himself to be a starter following the Guardians series, recording a three-run home run Tuesday and a two-run home run and three RBI Thursday. Will his success continue into the weekend series against the Seattle Mariners? Matt and Ross also discuss Warren Moon's comments on the new Texans uniforms, recap Milwaukee Bucks guard Patrick Beverley getting into it with fans and postgame media following elimination from the NBA playoffs, react to the Los Angeles Lakers firing head coach Darvin Ham, predict the future of NBA games on television, tell their "Non-Florida Stories" and more.
Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show discuss the Astros losing 3-2 against the Cleveland Guardians on Wednesday. Brian McTaggart, Astros beat reporter for MLB.com, joins to recap the Guardians tying the three-game series with the Astros in back-to-back extra-inning games at Minute Maid Park. Astros outfielder Joey Loperfido also joins to detail how he got called-up and review his first two Major League starts. Matt and Ross talk about Charles Barkley's comments on the NBA media, react to Deion Sanders arguing with former players on social media, say "I Just Don't Get It" and more.
Astros outfielder Joey Loperfido joins The Matt Thomas Show ahead of the series tiebreaker against the Cleveland Guardians on Thursday at Minute Maid Park. After first baseman Jose Abreu was optioned to extended spring training, the Astros officially called-up Loperfido, who was leading the Minor Leagues in home runs with 13. "It kind of caught me off guard" getting called-up, but "it was awesome to share that moment with the guys" of the Sugar Land Space Cowboys. Loperfido made his debut Tuesday against the Guardians, going 1-5 with two RBI and two strikeouts. Loperfido has been in the outfield in his two games with the Astros, but earned some experience at first base in Sugar Land. "Duke was my only offer," and playing first base "was the only way to get into the lineup" as a freshman. When asked if he anticipates playing at first base with the Astros, Loperfido says "I'm going to play wherever the team wants me to play." Loperfido also reveals his real first name, which stadium he looks forward to playing at the most and more.
Brian McTaggart, Astros beat reporter for MLB.com, joins The Matt Thomas Show to discuss the Astros losing 3-2 against the Cleveland Guardians on Wednesday. The Guardians even the three-game series with the Astros in back-to-back extra-inning games at Minute Maid Park. Ace Justin Verlander had a good outing for his third start of the season, pitching a season-high seven innings. "I think Justin just wants to pitch as deep as he can," McTaggart said. Prior to Tuesday's game, the Astros announced that first baseman Jose Abreu accepted an option to the spring training facility in West Palm Beach, Florida. Abreu is attempting to "save his Astros career" and "it's going to be a grind," but he deserves respect because "most players of his stature would say 'No thanks.'" With Abreu undergoing extended spring training, McTaggart says the Astros are "pretty well covered" at first base with Jon Singleton, Trey Cabbage, Mauricio Dubon, Yainer Diaz and Joey Loperfido.
Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show recap the Houston Astros earning their third straight victory with a 10-9 win over the Cleveland Guardians off a two-run walk-off home run from Victor Caratini in the 10th inning. Hunter Brown started on the mound, striking out seven but allowing six runs on five hits and two walks in just over five innings of work. The Astros battled on the plate, with Joey Loperfido recording a two-run single in his MLB debut, and Alex Bregman and Jon Singleton both hitting three-run home runs for their first homers of the season. Justin Verlander will start on the mound Wednesday for the second of the three-game series against the Guardians at Minute Maid Park. Prior to Tuesday's victory, the Astros announced they would be sending Jose Abreu to Florida for extended spring training. The former AL MVP started the season with a .099 batting average and agreed with the decision to be optioned. Matt and Ross also break down the University of Houston's decision to move forward with an alternate blue uniform despite receiving a cease-and-desist order from the NFL last fall, attempt to understand the diss track battle between hip-hop artists Drake and Kendrick Lamar, 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 preview the Houston Astros hosting the Cleveland Guardians for a three-game series starting Tuesday. Manager Joe Espada joins to discuss the Astros calling up prospect Joey Loperfido to start in the outfield. Loperfido, who has also been working at first base, had strong offensive production, recording his 13th home run of the season for the Sugar Land Space Cowboys on Sunday. With Loperfido joining the Major League roster, the Astros have placed Grae Kessinger on the 10-day IL with right shoulder discomfort, and Joel Kuhnel was designated for assignment. Matt and Ross also further review the Texans draft prospects, briefly address the NBA playoffs, give their latest "Gut Feelings" and more.
Manager Joe Espada joins The Matt Thomas Show ahead of the Houston Astros hosting the Cleveland Guardians for a three-game series starting Tuesday. Following a day off and back-to-back wins against the Colorado Rockies in Mexico City, the Astros are returning home looking to earn a series win and begin moving out of the last spot in the American League West. "We wanted to use Mexico as a little reset button" and the message to the team is "let's not be complacent." After the pair of wins in Mexico City, news broke that the Astros would be calling-up prospect Joey Loperfido who recorded his 13th homerun of the season for the Sugar Land Space Cowboys on Sunday. "We didn't bring [Loperfido] up here to sit...he'll start tonight in the outfield," Espada said. "He needs to do the things that got him here." As Loperfido joins the Astros, a corresponding roster change needs to be made for his Major League debut; however, Espada could not specify which player would be moved. Espada also discusses the possibilities at the DH position when Yordan Álvarez plays in left field, Alex Bregman batting second in the lineup and Hunter Brown getting "over the hump."
Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show recap the Houston Astros winning back-to-back games against the Colorado Rockies in Mexico City. Framber Valdez returned to the mound for the first time since April 2, allowing five hits, no walks and six strikeouts in a 8-2 win Sunday. Following the pair of wins, news broke that the Astros would be calling-up prospect Joey Loperfido who recorded his 13th homerun of the season for the Sugar Land Space Cowboys on Sunday. Loperfido will join the Astros on Tuesday when they host the Cleveland Guardians. Matt and Ross also review the Texans draft picks, react to wide receiver Tank Dell sustaining minor wounds after getting shot in a night club Saturday in Florida, defend Galveston from Charles Barkley's comments, play "To Tell The Truth" and more.
Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show recap the Chicago Cubs completing the series sweep over the Houston Astros in a 3-1 final Thursday. Justin Verlander started on the mound and recorded seven strikeouts through four scoreless innings; however, the Cubs scored three runs in the sixth. The Astros have now lost five in a row, dropping to 7-19 on the season, their worst record through 26 games since 1969. Matt and Ross also react to the first round of the NFL Draft, predict who the Texans will draft with their three picks in rounds two and three, tell their Non-Florida Stores and more on this Anything Goes Friday.
Brian McTaggart, Astros beat reporter for MLB.com, joins Matt Thomas on the Astros On-Deck Show ahead of the final game of a three-game road series against the Chicago Cubs. The Astros extended their losing streak to four games following 4-3 loss Wednesday, bringing their record to 7-18 on the season. "There's definitely frustration in the clubhouse," McTaggart said. In Tuesday's loss against the Cubs, J.P. France gave up five runs in the first inning, and in Wednesday's loss, Spencer Arrighetti gave up four runs in the first inning. "They can't claw out of those holes." McTaggart also discusses manager Joe Espada's lineup changes, Jon Singleton and Jose Abreu sharing opportunities at first base and Framber Valdez returning to the mound in Mexico City.
Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show express their disappointment over the start of the Astros season. After losing 7-2 Tuesday on the road against the Chicago Cubs, the Astros continue to be at the bottom of the American League West with a 7-17 record. However, Shawn Dubin, relief pitcher for the Astros, joins to say that "no one's panicking" in the clubhouse. Matt and Ross also talk with producer Connor McGovern about his experience at the Texans Uniform Reveal Party, rank the best professional athletes to wear goggles, predict possible Astros lineup changes, tell people to "Shut Yo Bum Ass Up, Ain't Nobody Got Time" and more.
Shawn Dubin, relief pitcher for the Houston Astros, joins The Matt Thomas Show following a 7-2 loss against the Chicago Cubs on the road Tuesday, creating a three-game losing streak for the Astros who sit at the bottom of the American League West with a 7-17 record. "[We're] trying to take care of business these next two days," Dubin said. "No one's panicking" because "we all know how good we are" and "we'll get back on track." Dubin also discusses his college and minor league baseball career, working other jobs before becoming a professional pitcher, developing his change-up over the offseason and more.
Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show preview the Houston Astros traveling to take on the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field for the first time since 2013. Manager Joe Espada joins to discuss how the Astros plan to improve upon their recent outings and move out of the last spot in the American League West. Matt and Ross also react to the Texans unveiling four new uniforms for the first time since the team's inception in 2000, debate the state of officiating in professional sports, give their latest "Gut Feelings" and more.
Manager Joe Espada joins The Matt Thomas Show ahead of Tuesday's start to a three-game road series against the Chicago Cubs. Espada, who was a couple of minutes late to the show, said he just left a team meeting as the Astros are "trying to play better baseball." Ace Justin Verlander made his season debut Friday in a 5-3 win over the Washington Nationals, but Espada says younger pitches, such as Hunter Brown, "have to put hitters away" and avoid extending at-bats. As Jose Abreu continues to struggle, Espada says he's "going to start giving [Jon] Singleton some opportunities" in matchups "that are favorable to him."
Following a 6-0 loss against the Washington Nationals on Sunday, resulting in a 2-1 series defeat on the road, Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show attempt to diagnose the current problems of the Houston Astros as they find themselves at the bottom of the American League West standings with a 7-16 record. Matt and Ross also discuss general manager Dana Brown's comments on Jose Abreu's struggles at first base, review arguments that compare Dusty Baker and Joe Espada, react to Zach Wilson getting traded to the Denver Broncos, play "To Tell the Truth" and more.
Following a 6-0 loss against the Washington Nationals on Sunday, resulting in a 2-1 series defeat on the road, Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show attempt to diagnose the current problems of the Houston Astros as they find themselves at the bottom of the American League West standings with a 7-16 record.
Matt Thomas of The Matt Thomas Show and Dan Mathews of The A-Team preview ace Justin Verlander returning to the mound for the first game of a three-game series against the Washington Nationals starting Friday. Matt and Dan also discuss the Texans altering their image ahead of next season, react to the Arizona Coyotes moving to Salt Lake City, tell their "Non-Florida Stories" and more.