Dirt Diamond Sports Talk - A Baseball Podcast

Ryan Bokros and Walt Penberthy
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Baseball

Ryan Bokros and Wally Penberthy are two hometown Houston Astros fans who talk all about MLB baseball. Deep dives into stats, sabermetrics, the business of baseball, everyday life as a fan, and of course - the drama of wins and loses. Spark Podcast Network.

  1. 1d ago

    October Moves On Without Houston. What's Next?

    The Astros’ season is over, and the questions now reach well beyond the Wild Card sweep. Ryan and Wally close the book on Houston’s year, discuss Jim Crane’s search for a new baseball-operations leader and Joe Espada’s uncertain future, and examine the roster decisions that will shape what comes next. Dirt Diamond Sports Talk is a proud part of the Spark Podcast Network. Ryan Bokros and Walter Penberthy co-hosts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  2. Sep 29

    AL West Champion Houston Astros - They're In, Now What?

    The Astros survived the final week and claimed the AL West. Now comes a very different test. Ryan and Wally recap the Seattle and Athletics series, Lucas Spence’s breakout, and the timely production from Yordan Alvarez, Yainer Diaz and Christian Walker. Then we dig into the White Sox: what Houston’s 5–2 season-series advantage really means, why Sean Burke is a problem, and how a Game 1 bullpen plan could shape the entire Wild Card Series. From Hunter Brown and Hayden Wesneski to Chicago’s power-and-patience lineup, we break down the matchups that could send Houston deeper into October—or home early. The Astros earned the chance to keep playing. Now they have to earn the next round. There are real reasons to like this matchup: Brown and Wesneski have pitched well against Chicago, the bullpen has covered huge innings, and Yordan finally has more hitters producing around him. But the White Sox have answers. Burke can shut an offense down, their bullpen can change the matchups, and their lineup will punish free baserunners. For Houston, it comes down to throwing strikes, cashing in when Chicago pitches around Yordan, and getting contributions beyond the biggest names. The division race is over. Two wins are the assignment. This has been Dirt Diamond Sports Talk—we’ll see you after the first pitch. Dirt Diamond Sports Talk is a proud part of the Spark Podcast Network. Ryan Bokros and Walter Penberthy co-hosts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  3. Sep 21

    Brutal Astros Homestand - Are The Playoffs Still In The Picture? Six Games To Go!

    The Astros needed this homestand to create breathing room. Instead, a series win over Kansas City gave way to a sweep by Atlanta—and an increasingly uncomfortable playoff chase. Ryan and Wally break down the difference between hitting home runs and building a dependable offense, the bullpen breakdowns that erased winnable games, and which players are giving Houston a chance. Then we turn to the final six games: what needs to change immediately, how the division tiebreaker helps, and why a strong finish still requires some help. Dirt Diamond Sports Talk is a proud part of the Spark Podcast Network. Ryan Bokros and Walter Penberthy co-hosts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  4. Sep 11

    Statement Made? Astros Take Philly, Rays Await

    The Astros walked into Philadelphia for one of their toughest series of the stretch run and walked out with two wins, a three-game lead in the AL West, and maybe a little more reason to believe this team can make some noise in October. We break down Houston's series win over the Phillies, including Cam Smith's huge three-game home run streak and ninth-inning heroics, Cristian Javier's outstanding start, another strong showing from the back end of the bullpen, Christian Walker showing some power, and Jose Altuve reaching the 2,500-hit milestone. But it wasn't all pretty. The Astros stranded 20 runners during the series, went just 2-for-12 with runners in scoring position in the two games they actually won, and watched a 4-0 lead disappear during an ugly pitching collapse Wednesday night. Are the Astros finally finding enough offense—or are pitching, defense and timely home runs still covering up the same old problems? Then we look ahead to an even bigger test: a three-game trip to Tampa Bay against the best team in the American League. Junior Caminero and Yordan Alvarez headline an MVP-caliber matchup, while Houston gets Drew Rasmussen and a Rays team that just took two of three from Atlanta. Philadelphia was a statement series. Now we find out whether the Astros can back it up. Dirt Diamond Sports Talk is a proud part of the Spark Podcast Network. Ryan Bokros and Walter Penberthy co-hosts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  5. Sep 8

    Winning Ugly: Astros Pitching Carries, Offense Still Searching

    The Astros took three of four from the White Sox, then dropped two of three to Arizona—and somehow both series told us almost the exact same thing. The pitching continues to give Houston every chance to win, Yainer Diaz is heating up, Isaac Paredes is producing, and Josh Hader has become a legitimate weapon again. But the offense remains frustratingly inconsistent, with Jeremy Peña, Christian Walker, and others struggling to provide the production this lineup needs. We break down both series, the players who are stepping up, the ones who need to get going, and Houston’s continued inability to consistently cash in scoring opportunities. Then we get into the Astros’ latest waiver claim, Jorge Barrosa. With Jake Meyers, Joey Loperfido, Daulton Varsho, Cam Smith, Nelson Velázquez and an already crowded group of outfielders in the organization, what exactly does another light-hitting, defense-first outfielder solve? The Astros are still sitting atop the AL West—but with October getting closer, the question is becoming pretty simple: can this offense score enough runs to take advantage of a pitching staff that looks ready for the postseason? Dirt Diamond Sports Talk is a proud part of the Spark Podcast Network. Ryan Bokros and Walter Penberthy co-hosts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  6. Aug 31

    Clutch Beats Pretty: Astros Go 4-2 Through New York, 13 Games That Matter, The Pitching Lab

    After a brutal homestand raised plenty of questions, the Astros responded with one of their strongest road trips of the season—winning four of six games across two series in New York. Ryan and Wally break down how Houston turned things around through quality starting pitching, timely hitting, clean defense, and a bullpen that repeatedly protected close leads. They also take a closer look at Josh Hader’s dominant stretch and the stability he has brought to the back end of the bullpen. Was this simply a good week, or are the Astros beginning to find the formula they’ll need down the stretch? Plus, we look ahead to a crucial 13-game stretch—all against playoff contenders—that could significantly shape Houston’s postseason position. Dirt Diamond Sports Talk is a proud part of the Spark Podcast Network. Ryan Bokros and Walter Penberthy co-hosts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Clutch Beats Pretty: Astros Go 4-2 Through New York, 13 Games That Matter, The Pitching Lab

  7. Aug 25

    Astros First Place and Firing People, Blown Home Show, What Does The Future Hold

    Wally is back, and we’ve got plenty to catch up on. We recap the Astros’ last two series against the Angels and A’s, including the good, the bad, and what stood out as Houston continues to fight through a tight AL West race. Then we dive into the biggest story of the day: Dana Brown’s sudden “mutually agreed upon” departure from the Astros, what may have led to it, and what it could mean for the organization going forward. We also sort through the Joe Espada controversy and the reporting that initially made it sound much worse than it ultimately was, before looking ahead to the next two series and what Houston needs to do to keep itself in position down the stretch. Dirt Diamond Sports Talk is a proud part of the Spark Podcast Network. Ryan Bokros and Walter Penberthy co-hosts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Astros First Place and Firing People, Blown Home Show, What Does The Future Hold

  8. Aug 14

    BURY THEM NOW The Astros Chance to Break Seattle

    The Astros escaped San Francisco with a series win — but did Houston really win it, or did the Giants simply find more ways to lose? Ryan and Wally break down a strange three-game set where the Astros were one strike from losing the opener, scored only three runs over the final two games, and somehow took the series after San Francisco repeatedly failed to capitalize on opportunities. We dig into Houston’s bullpen carrying the load, Hayden Wesneski continuing to provide much-needed innings, Josh Hader being stretched into a multi-inning weapon, and the lingering concerns surrounding a rotation that still doesn’t inspire complete confidence. Then it’s time for one of the biggest series of the season. The struggling Mariners arrive in Houston five games behind the Astros after finally snapping a six-game losing streak. We break down the Kirby-Lambert, Hancock-Wesneski and Woo-Brown pitching matchups, what has happened to Seattle’s offense, Cal Raleigh’s stunning falloff, Julio Rodríguez’s inability to carry the lineup, and why this weekend feels like a chance for Houston to put real distance between itself and a division rival. Finally, we take our first serious look at the remaining schedules. Houston opens a nine-game homestand against Seattle, the Angels and A’s while the Mariners are about to face a brutal stretch featuring Houston, Milwaukee, the Cubs and Phillies. The opportunity is sitting directly in front of the Astros. Good teams take advantage of stretches like this. Which kind of team will Houston choose to be? Dirt Diamond Sports Talk is a proud part of the Spark Podcast Network. Ryan Bokros and Walter Penberthy co-hosts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    BURY THEM NOW The Astros Chance to Break Seattle
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Ryan Bokros and Wally Penberthy are two hometown Houston Astros fans who talk all about MLB baseball. Deep dives into stats, sabermetrics, the business of baseball, everyday life as a fan, and of course - the drama of wins and loses. Spark Podcast Network.

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