"The Matt Thomas Show" airs noon-3 p.m. daily on SportsTalk790 (790 AM and 94.5-2 HD) with in-depth analysis on Houston sports including the Astros...Full Bio
Astros Win 5 In A Row, Loperfido Gets First HR, Scottie Scheffler Arrested
Blanco Gets 10-Game Suspension, Texans Primetime Games, Rockets Rumored To Land Star
Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show react to Houston Astros pitcher Ronel Blanco receiving a 10-game suspension for "violating the prohibitions on foreign substances," per an MLB release. Ronel Blanco was ejected before the start of the fourth inning Tuesday when the third base umpire found a foreign substance on his glove. Brian McTaggart, Astros beat reporter for MLB.com, joins to discuss how the Astros will handle not having Blanco in the lineup temporarily during this four-game win streak. Matt and Ross review the Texans regular season schedule, address the rumors that an NBA star will land in Houston during the offseason, say "I Just Don't Get It" and more.
Brian McTaggart: Astros 'Stabilizing A Little Bit' On 4-Game Win Streak
Brian McTaggart, Astros beat reporter for MLB.com, joins The Matt Thomas Show to recap the Astros four-game win streak following a 3-0 victory over the Oakland Athletics on Wednesday at Minute Maid Park. The Astros have won three straight against the A's with the final game of the series on Thursday. Framber Valdez started on the mound Wednesday and threw seven scoreless innings. Seth Martinez pitched in last innings to combine for a two-hit shutout. "Things are stabilizing a little bit" as starters are going deeper into games, McTaggart said. Cristian Javier will start on the mound Thursday, hoping to improve upon his last outing; however, J.P. France continues to deal with a shoulder injury, and it will be a "matter on months, not weeks" until a possible return. Ronel Blanco was ejected before the start of the fourth inning Tuesday when the third base umpire found a foreign substance on his glove. Blanco has since received a 10-game suspension. "I don't think we'll ever know" what specific substance was found on Blanco's glove, McTaggart said. The Astros cannot send down a position player and bring up a pitcher to replace Blanco on the roster during his suspension. McTaggart also discusses Brandon Bielak getting traded to the A's, Ryan Pressly struggling to adjust to his eighth inning role, Mauricio Dubon's spot in the lineup and more.
Astros Win 3 Straight, Blanco's Sticky Situation, Texans Play On Christmas
Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show react to the Houston Astros winning back-to-back games against the Oakland Athletics. The Astros earned three victories in a row after defeating the A's 2-1 on Tuesday. Victor Caratini hit a RBI single in the 10th inning. Caratini recorded his second walk off in just over two weeks after smashing a game-ending homer as a pinch hitter on April 30. Alex Bregman began the second inning with another home run after hitting two the previous night. However, the win was bittersweet for the Astros who saw their starting pitcher Ronel Blanco get ejected before the start of the fourth after the third base umpire checked his glove and found a foreign substance. Blanco will likely face a 10-game suspension. Matt and Ross also discuss part of the Texans regular season schedule getting leaked, including a Christmas Day game against the Baltimore Ravens on Netflix, review Caitlin Clark's WNBA debut, tell people to "Shut Yo Bum Ass Up, Ain't Nobody Got Time" and more.
Arrighetti Earns First MLB Win vs. A's, Bregman Rises Out Of Slump, Jared Goff Gets Paid
Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show review the Houston Astros defeating the Oakland A's 9-2 Monday in the first of a four-game series at Minute Maid Park. Manager Joe Espada joins to discuss Alex Bregman stepping up and recording two homers and four RBIs and Spencer Arrighetti getting his first MLB win. Relief Pithcer Seth Martinez also joins to talk about the Astros recent success. Matt and Ross predict the NFL regular season schedule, preview Ronel Blanco's Tuesday night start on the mound, react to Jared Goff becoming the highest paid player in the Detroit Lions franchise history, give their latest "Gut Feelings" and more.
Reliever Seth Martinez Talks Recent Success For Astros, Golfing with JV
Astros relief pitcher Seth Martinez joins The Matt Thomas Show following a 9-2 victory over the Oakland A's on Monday at Minute Maid Park. The Astros are currently 9-6 over their past 15 games and are 6.5 games back from the lead in the AL West. The Astros are "keeping the game in control" and are "helping the bullpen work at more of a normal pace," Martinez said. Martinez last pitched Sunday in Detroit, getting a day off Monday. It's good to let the body recover, but "it's more mental when you have longer breaks." Martinez also talks about playing golf with Justin Verlander at Michael Jordan's course and spies on Joey Loperfido taking batting practice.
Astros Manager Joe Espada Says Alex Bregman Will Not 'Stay Down' In Lineup
Manager Joe Espada joins The Matt Thomas Show following the Houston Astros 9-2 victory in the first of a four-game series against the Oakland A's. Third baseman Alex Bregman broke out of his recent slump, recording two homers and four RBIs in the opener of a 10-game homestand at Minute Maid Park. Bregman, who was moved from fourth to sixth in the lineup, is "not going to stay down there the whole season," and "he's starting to get those positive results," Espada said. Spencer Arrighetti started on the mound and picked up his first Major League win, earning five strikeouts in five innings. Arrighetti has "turned a corner" and "his work ethic is definitely something we don't question." Cristian Javier returned from injury Saturday in the 8-2 loss to the Detroit Tigers, allowing seven runs on five hits and four walks over 1.1 innings. "He looked rusty," but "I expect him to be much better" in his next start. Espada also gives an update on Chas McCormick and Jose Urquidy who are on rehab assignment, discusses keeping Yainer Diaz fresh and provides insight into his decisions concerning Mauricio Dubon's various spots in the lineup.
Rockets Have No. 3 Pick, Astros On The Up, No NFL Season Opener For Texans
Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show react to the Houston Rockets landing the No. 3 overall pick during the 2024 NBA draft lottery. The pick comes from the Brooklyn Nets as a part of the 2021 deal for James Harden. The Rockets pick goes to the Oklahoma City Thunder from the Russell Westbrook trade in 2019. This is the fourth consecutive year that the Rockets have a top-four pick in the draft. The Astros won their weekend series against the Detroit Tigers 2-1. Justin Verlander bounced back in a 9-3 victory Sunday after a rough outing against the Yankees, pitching seven scoreless innings and giving up two hits and two walks while striking-out eight versus his former team. Kyle Tucker hit a two-run homer in the sixth inning to lead MLB with 13 home runs this season. The Astros are now 6.5 games behind the Seattle Mariners for the division lead. Spencer Arrighetti will start Monday as the Astros return to Minute Maid Park to host the Oakland A's. Matt and Ross also discuss the latest rumors surrounding the Astros, review the NFL season opener that does not involve the Texans, play "To Tell the Truth" and more.
Singleton and Yordan Stand Out In W Over Yankees, Framber Starts vs. Tigers
Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show react to the Houston Astros avoiding the series sweep against the New York Yankees with a 4-3 victory Thursday. Yordan Alvarez and Jon Singleton homered in the first inning to give the Astros an early lead, and starting pitcher Ronel Blanco went into the sixth inning, giving up just two runs on four hits while striking out five. The Astros travel to Detroit to take on the Tigers in a weekend series. Framber Valdez starts on the mound Friday. Matt and Ross get an update from Adam Wexler of The A-Team at Texans rookie minicamp, comment on the suspicious background noises in Luka Dončić's postgame press conference, review Shaquille O'Neal's diss track aiming at Shannon Sharpe, tell their "Non-Florida Stories" and more on this Anything Goes Friday.
Astros Looking To Avoid Series Sweep, Juan Soto Dominates For Yankees, Texans Trade For WR
Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show attempt to diagnose the Astros who have now lost four straight games following back-to-back defeats at Yankee Stadium. Spencer Arrighetti started on the mound Wednesay, pitching five innings in which he allowed five runs on eight hits and three walks. The Yankees, led by Juan Soto, would win 9-4. Brian McTaggart, Astros beat reporter for MLB.com, joins to discuss Alex Bregman and Yordan Alvarez struggling at the plate and the possibility of Pedro Leon getting called-up. Matt and Ross also talk about the Indiana Pacers submitting 78 plays to the NBA that they feel were incorrectly called, react to the Texans trading for former Rams receiver Ben Skowronek, say "I Just Don't Get It" and more.