The Matt Thomas Show SportsTalk 790 (KBME-AM)

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.

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.

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.

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.

Brian McTaggart, Astros beat reporter for MLB.com, joins The Matt Thomas Show as the Houston Astros attempt to avoid a series sweep by the New York Yankees. The Astros have extended their losing streak to four games after back-to-back defeats at Yankee Stadium and move to a 12-24 record on the season. "The deeper they get in this thing, the harder it is to get out," McTaggart said. "Very few teams have gotten out of" the hole the Astros are in. Alex Bregman has only two hits in his last 20 at-bats and Yordan Alvarez went 0-5 at the plate Wednesday in the 9-4 loss. "They're getting no production out of third base," and "Yordan looks a little lost at the plate." Alvarez and Bregman have yet to have a day off this season, and McTaggart says "it's going to have to happen" because "you got to try something" and "they're running out of time." McTaggart also discusses the possibility of Pedro Leon getting called-up, Hunter Brown staying in the rotation and more.

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show review the Houston Astros losing 10-3 to the New York Yankees in the series opener at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday. Ace Justin Verlander had one of the worst starts of his Astros career after previously holding a 2.08 ERA through his first three starts of the season. The Yankees earned seven runs and three home runs against Verlander. Alex Bregman continued to struggle, going 0-4 at the plate and dropping his average to .195. First baseman Jon Singleton joins to discuss the team's optimism despite a "disappointing" 12-23 start. Matt and Ross also create a therapeutic space for Astros fans to vent, compare NFL and NBA athletes, tell people to "Shut Yo Bum Ass Up, Ain't Nobody Got Time" and more.