The Matt Thomas Show with Ross - Astros Lose Game 2 vs Athletic’s… Is the Season Over ?

Episode Date: September 25, 2025

Astros Lose Game 2 vs Athletic’s… Is the Season Over ?

is the Matt Thomas show with Ross. 10-1 in H-Town. Good morning. And welcome to a Thursday edition The Matt Thomas Show with Ross where a big city wings in Cyprus on 790. As they fall in Sacramento, 6 to nothing.

Good morning, Ross. What is this 80s road trip music? Turn it out. This is jam. Oh, my God. This is good. All right. You're going to have to declare more

The Travelling Willberries. Turn it up. Oh, my God. We're already depressed enough as it is, Matthew. Here it comes. It's not all right. I'm not old. I am old and gray.

And it's not all right. They're getting their ass kick. Five straight games. They're laying down like choking dogs with the division and wildcurred at their feet. It's not okay. It's the end of the line. You might as well just be ready for it. I was Mr. 5 and 1.

How's that going? I'm not Mr. 4 and 2. Okay. I cannot jump into that group. Are you Mr. Let's try to win 1? I'm Mr. Man. I didn't realize Sacramento was such a difficult place for the Astros to play. They are two and four in that building this year.

The Ace swept their ass earlier this season. Yeah. All right. We are here at Big City Wings in the 20,000 block. There you go. Nailed it. Thank you. You're welcome.

There isn't a soul here at this point. That's no surprise. There's a huge crowd. Huge crowd. Nobody eats wings at 10 o'clock in the morning. All right. Well, we're hanging out with Brenna. Brenna, let me tell you something.

Y'all want to meet somebody that's charming and lovely and will give you great wings and service. It's going to be Brenna. So come on by and see us here. Look, eating wings at 10 o'clock probably isn't the preferred thing, but drinking probably helps at 10. Maybe for a couple tombs as well. That's right. You'll be all right. But at 11 o'clock, you should definitely be eating some wigs or 12 o'clock.

And then we'll be here all the way until 2 o'clock this afternoon. We'll have the On Deck Show at 132. Really run through A's highlights. We should call it A's on deck because that's all we're going to be playing. Well, there's a Jake Myers catch for an Astros highlight. Outside of that, I don't think there's anything. There isn't any Hesu-Sanchez defense. Oh, hey, come on now.

That was beer league stuff. I'm sorry. Can I tell you right now. Yeah. Go ahead. And I'm Mr. Preface guy, and I do this way too much in my life because I always feel like I need to justify things no matter what I do. I'm the king of, I don't mean to be rude, but. And then you're rude.

And then I'm rude. I don't mean to be insensitive, but I'm insensitive. Okay. I am such an Astros fan, and I've been an Astros fan since 19. This is what the old school guy. Oh, yeah. That's what the kids say now. They're like, oh, you're born in the 1900s.

Yeah. Like, yeah, I was. So I've been an Astro fan for, let's see, 21 and 25, 40. of my 53 years of my life. Okay? I'm done with Hesu Sanchez. I never want to see him play again. All right.

And I know he's got, he's arbitration eligible, he's got years left. He was a, you didn't have to give up the farm to go get him. You gave up, what's that guy's name, the pitcher that was here for a lot. Ryan Gusto? Ryan Gusto. So you didn't give up a lot. I'm done with him. He can't hit.

He is completely useless against left-hander, so you're only going to use him 60% He's been useless against everybody. And he's a butcher in the outfield. And I don't, and I, and I hear him me prefacing, I hate to be a, hate to use the word butcher, but he's a butcher out there. And I know he had a couple of grabs against the right field wall that was in a loss, and I give him credit for that.

But generally speaking, he angers me. I get angry watching Hesu Sanchez. And he's only moved the team a few months. And I'm sure he's maybe the swalless fellow. You ever met in your entire life? He seems really nice. He might be a guy that gives a lot of money to charity. I don't care.

I'm sick of him. It was not Major League-level baseball play in the field. That was Beer League stuff from him, unfortunately. It happened once. You can kind of excuse it. It happens again where, I mean, you allow a runner to go first to second with Nick Kurtz coming up, and then the other time, I don't know that he would have thrown the runner out at home if he had a fielded

it cleanly, but he does have a big arm. You at least go from some chance to no chance with him bobbling balls out there. And again, as you're kind of hinting at Matt, you can take that if you're hitting at the plate. If you're dropping bombs and you're Manny Ramirez and you're a complete butcher out there, but you're, you know, hitting 35, 40 bombs, it's cool. But it's not cool when you're swinging and missing at everything. And putting together horrible at bats, you're not recognizing a single pitch looking completely lost out there for a guy that also gets the platoon advantage

almost every time he's been out there. there are more right-handed pitchers in baseball than our left he's going to play more. Yeah, and he's going to be an advantage. And I can live with a guy that can't hit lefties because lefty-lefty matchups, there are very few hitters. Actually, we've got one.

Yordon can hit left-handed pitching. I used to have one, Kyle Tucker. But generally speaking, it's hard for left-handers to do much offensively against left-handers. So I'll give him that. But the lack of professional in left field in the first play. The second play was, I don't know if he was just trying to save himself an extra hop or whatever,

but the first play was atrocious. And that's when I went to Twitter and said, good night, everybody. I will say this, and I've never told you this in 15 plus years of us working together. I went to bed last night with your voice nestled against my ear. Oh, wow. That's actually sexy as hell, no. And let me explain the situation. Yeah, I like that.

So the Astros are getting their ass kicked and not providing any offense. and listless yet again. I hate the word listless. But they've been listless. But they've been listless. And lifeless. And lethargic. Whatever you want to call it.

And I thought to myself, and losing. So I'll listen to Robert and Steve call the game on my IHeart radio app. And I've told you all this before. I just can't go to sleep anymore with just silence. I have to have a podcast or music or voice. So I thought I'd try the Astros game. Get you some night meditations.

So I listened to the last three innings and I fall asleep and I wake up and I'm like, Oh, God. Ben Mallor must be on, must be enjoying this. And it was not Ben Mallor. It was Ross Villarreal. Yes. We didn't go as long as the night before. We went to 120. We only went to 1 a.m. last night. Yeah, I checked on you twice at 1224 and 1249, and you were still taking calls. And I was like, damn, Ross, I'm beyond impressed because that 10th inning show,

and I'll have one of those on Saturday myself, will not be fun. It hasn't been fun. And there's nothing to say except, yes, the injury, and I feel like I'm a broken record. Yes, the injuries have cost this team the season. It is the year of the injured list for this team. And we're not talking about bone bruises. We're not talking about guys that turn an ankle. We're talking about significant franchise type injuries, whether it's Yordon, whether it is Jeremy

Pena. that looks like, I don't know he'll come back this year. Whether it's the pitching staff has been decimated, whether it's every member of the outfield. There are so many things. But there's got to be a certain point that you say, hey, guys, we have fought past all of that. Destiny somewhat is still in our hands.

Let's go make the most of this. Seattle's a better baseball team. They came into our building and kicked our ass. No surprise there. Honestly. A's have been better than you for like 60 games. And the A's have been better, but they have not even thought about the playoffs, and the Astros can think about the playoffs. So they're going to jump on a plane.

They're going to go to Sacramento, and they're going to play some games in front of about 8,000 people. There's no home field advantage. It's just you versus the team are going against. Mono-a-Mano, hit her friendly ballpark. You got some guys that's still a little bit of a poke. Correa should hit well. Altube should hit well. Christian Walker, Yonair Diaz, Hesu-Sanche.

I don't care. They're going to get passes. They're going to say this team has overcome a lot. We even had Joe Espada talking about this a couple of days ago. We've had so much in terms of adversity. They've overcome it. And they did the opposite. They look like, and I don't want to use one, two, three, Cancun.

You did that, so I don't want a bit steal from you. But it looks like to me, one, two, three, Fayetteville, Arkansas. I don't think they're vacationing there. But that's the thing, too. Yeah, it's, let's say, Matt, you're in Sacramento for these two C. And you know what? The ball's flying out like crazy. They hit a three-run bomb.

You hit a two-run bomb. Then you come back. But then Stephen Okert blows it at the end of the game because he's not a great leverage guy. It feels like that would be easier to live with than what we're seeing. Three singles in game one, three singles and two doubles in game two, where these Vegas totals have been very high for baseball games, And you can't even scratch a car across one run on a sack fly. In that situation, I'm even angry about that.

That was bases loaded, no out. Basis loaded, no out. You get one sack fly, and that's what you've scored this whole series. Yeah. That's it. And I'm sorry. There's nothing to potentially sugarcoat this. No.

Because, look, the injuries have sucked. And the macro view says the injuries have cost this team. They have. Underperforming numbers. and it's not just by himself, Christian Walker. I don't want him to be the sacrificial lamb. It's John Nier-Diaz taking a step back. It is, I mean, again, Peretti's, God love Yucca.

I'll tell you what. I was not the biggest Isok-Predis fan when the trade was made, but the guy's got stones. He is out there. It pains me to see him try to get to the plate, much less run to first base. But he's gutting it out because he wants to win. Yeah, he's on one leg, and your two best hitters

are hurt. But the guys are out there, and Correa said this in post game. The guys who are out there need to perform. No excuses. That includes Jose Al-Tubei. That includes Carlos Correa. That includes Jake Myers. Christian Walker. Who had had a couple hits yesterday. Well, the day before you, you only have one yesterday.

Okay, I'm losing track of these 9 o'clock games. Well, he's turned into a soft singles hitter. He's still striking out a lot. So we're pissed, and that's fine. We can do that because that's what dude. Sports are full of emotion. We're not taking anything personal. We're not insulting them.

But I don't want to watch Jesus Sanchez anymore. I'm done. I will, you know, you can have a mute button when you can fast forward. I'm going to pause. So when the Astros are playing today, if he does play, or he plays anymore in the Angels series, I'm going to fast

forward to the batts. Because I don't, that to me was horrific. And oh, by the way, Framber Valdez is on the mound today to try to save the Astero season. The Astros are down a game in the wild card. Detroit.

Okay? They lose the tiebreaker to Detroit. So they have to make up two in four games. Yes. It ain't happening. They don't look like they want to do it. And again, I know they're going to the plate swinging. They're not going, hey, let's get out of here as fast as possible.

They're trying. But their approach is unacceptable. They're just not good enough. They're just not good enough. And I'm sorry. And I wish they were good enough. because I love playoff baseball. October, he gets a little cooler.

The stadium may be open. Now, granted, the Astros would be on the road if this happened. And look, the only saving grace we have is that Detroit Tigers are in one of the biggest free falls in recent baseball history. 11 out of 12, 8 in a row they've lost. And they may backdoor their way into the playoffs. That's the most incredible thing of it all.

Their Astros futility might allow them to still sneak in the playoffs. Framber Valdez on the hill today with the season on the line. Don't even say it. I don't want to, I don't care. I got to do Astros on deck. I just like going to bitch him home for 30 minutes. How are you feeling? I'm feeling good.

7-1-3-2-12-7-9. If you want to come on and join the show, if you want to come have lunch with us today, Ross, we brought some shirts, right? Yeah, we have shirts to get away. We have some other treats. Do you want a phrase it pays for shirts? How about must-win game? Oh, why don't you walk in and say, I'm either, I'm Mr. Forenton,

or I missus four and two. That's what we'll do with. Well, okay. Sure. If you are Mr. Four and two... That's a little word, more wordy. People understand. Just come and ask for a sure.

Just come and ask for a shirt. And I believe we got some tickets for some University of Houston game coming up, too. Not the Texas Tech game, because you can't have those. But we got some good ones coming up. Do you give away here? Yeah, I think so. Okay. Don't hold me for that, but we'll get further clarification in a box.

I don't have a minute. I was going to say, I ain't got those. No, no, no. Okay. Well, that ain't me. I'm going to put that on you. I brought t-shirts. 713212-5-790.

We are at Big City Wings on Tuckerton in the 20,000 block in Cypress. Come see us today between now and two here on Sports Talk 7-90. Brian McTaggart will be with us at 11 o'clock this morning. He'll join us from Saka-T-O-T-T-Mv-T-MvP. Also today, this microphone's not. Did I break the microphone already? It's limp. What's the issue?

It's limp. Yeah, it happens. TRT MVP.com You said it's limp? Oh, is that right? Nice segue. Now you're way loud, right? Yeah, I don't know.

What's going on over here? All right. I'm fixing. I didn't do it. I'm making sure the audience isn't getting their best, you know. I'm making sure the audience. Maybe this is your hand. Am I, were you in the right headsets?

Did we switch? Maybe that's the reason why. Oh, no. You made it limp. Oh, yeah, we did switch. Hold on. Hold on a second. Stand by.

Look at my host, guys. Look at Lee. This is crazy, huh? All right. All right. All right. Oh, my gosh. Matt is like a yeller.

He's so loud. Much better. All right. So, what we're going with us? One, two, three. We're testing levels live on air, folks. You're super loud. It's a professional.

No, that's not true. I sound the same as you. Okay, good. Then maybe I sound louder. All right. McTaggart's on at 11 o'clock today. University of Houston versus West Virginia tickets are going to be available here today. Look at Ross getting some goodies.

Oh, whatever. I need some gas. You have any gas money for me, by the way? Yeah. What a site. some out of your car on the way out of here. That's right. Also today we've got, I just don't get it at 1130.

We've got that coming up. Rotten 5 at 1250. They're what are 6, 0 and 3 teams in the NFL? Only one doesn't make the rotten 5. When is that? 1250. Today? Today?

All right. You get two hours and 50 minutes. That's fine. And then we've got Astros on deck at 130. And we have people that want to talk to us right now, which is always nice. Okay, great. So let's go to it. 713212-570.

7-1-3-21-2-5-7-90. Now, I speak of the Astros in a macro view, but not today. Last night, absolutely was pathetic. It was horrible. I'm trying to give you an analogy real quick. Okay. Astros? Oh, you...

Nope, I can't even do it. I was going to say they've been late to work so many times. They've been thought about being fired. Okay. And all the bosses are like, just come to work. work on time. You get to keep your job. Ross, just win a game. You get to go to the playoffs. It's all you get to do. Just win.

Against an A's team, it's better, but still under 500. Still never been competitive. Got two rookie to year candidates. Severino was good yesterday. I got one for you. Please, because you know me, I'm not Mr. You went out to the bar. I did. And you had this eye, you had your eye on this nice-looking lady. Are we talking seven-eight?

Seven or eight? Yeah, nice. Okay. Yeah, something attainable. We know we got no shot at a nine or ten. That was me either. That feels fair. Okay. Seven or eight. You got your eye on them. You're making eyes.

End of the night, you make your move. Get her back to your place. Yes. You're going to your bedroom. She's like, hey, I got to go to the bathroom real quick. I'll be right back. You get the bubble guts. That's what the Astros did.

They got them in the room. They got them home. They're ready to go. And you got the bubble guts. So the Astros have diarrhea? Didn't that what it's looked like out there? Actually, they look constipated. Okay, either way, they got issues and it's over.

They had the lay-up drill in their room, and they fumbled. She went to the bathroom to get cleaned up ready to go. Yeah, yeah. Put the little extra perfume on. Pout of her nose, whatever. Hmm. That feels right. That's why you're the official analogizer.

Is that a word? Well, how about this? They threw up all over the bed. They did something. Yeah, because you don't have to, and you're like, I can change the sheets, and she's like, no, I got to go. Because they're throwing up all over the plate, so that works. Carl and Dickinson on the Matt Thomas show at Ross.

Carl, good morning. How you doing? I got it all figured out, boys. Okay. Guess what? The Astros have a major problem. If we don't solve the problem immediately, we're going to see the dark ages in baseball,

on Houston. My situation is like this. I thought about it. Elon must buy the Astros. You're the only one with deep enough pockets to buy out all these duds contracts. It'll be great advertisement for your space company down in South Texas. Jim Crane, if you don't sell the team, you're not even going to be able to give a hot dog away next year, okay? Please get rid of the duds. Elon Musk got the deep enough pockets to do it. That's all I have to say. I love the Astros, but I don't want to see them go down on their sword like this. Terrible, embarrassing, disgraceful.

Thank you. I would not recommend swallowing large amounts of cement. Elon Musk, the next Astros owner. You heard it here first. He's worth like $200 billion. Why wouldn't he buy the, I don't know, the Yankees or the Dodgers or the whole league? He's going for the Houston Astros. It's a good investment.

I mean, hey, I would be welcoming it with open arms. He's going to spend, I imagine. Yeah. Well, Jim spends, too. He just doesn't spend irresponsibly. Although the Abrae U contract, he's probably like, uh-huh. And then the Walker thing, he's not overly pleased with, and the McCuller's deal. I mean, I can go on and on.

Well, yeah, you can buy all them out. That's drop in the bucket, Matthew. All right. I'm not going to recommend Elon Musk buying the team. I recommend it. Let's go. Look, I like Jim Crane. I think he's done a good job.

I mean, I don't question. his decisions, he's only going off of what his lieutenant say. The only thing that Jim ever said is happening is he bringing back Justin Verlender twice. Maybe a third time because he said he wants to play next year. Yeah, bring him sure. Why not? Get the band back together. What's Yule Gareal up to?

Let's go. What's Robinson Chorinos doing these days? Oh, no, no. If you're bringing back and catch you, you know he were bringing back. Hank Conger? No. Oh, don't even say it. You can say it.

Ralt team. Rolls around the Ronald. Brian McCann. I mean, you guess you could We're at Big City Wings We're on Tuckerton in the 20,000 block I'm so proud of you You're learning your numbers

But I feel bad that I can't say 20-330 That's just not too It's still accurate But it's 20 space 330 Correct And one of our listeners is already here With a large beer in his hand That's what I like

That's a smart man right there Yeah what's your name sir Mark Mark Mark with a large beer in his hand That's what I'm talking about. Let me tell you something. Day drinking after an astro loss is more than acceptable.

1029 on Sports Talk 790. Yeah. We're in the 20,000 block of Tuckerton. 14 Big City Wing locations. So if you can't come out and see us today, go to one of them because you're going to be able to get, buy one, get one free in the boneless wings today. That's a Thursday staple. That's what I'm talking about, baby.

And you are white meat, chicken, sauce and toss, fried, delicious. You are team boneless. I am. I'll eat both. Don't get me wrong. Put a plate of bone in front me. I'm going to eat it. I get you.

But I have a preference. I understand. We all do. Like I said, I'm team coach. Especially when I'm on air. Yeah, I'm team Coke and team Pepsi. That's okay. Oh, no.

It gets ridiculed by many people. It's not okay. Never mind. You know what? I'm leaving you alone. Thank you very much. For five minutes. Yeah, I was going to say, 1045, all bets are all.

All right. We're going to hear from Edina Brown in our next segment of the show here. Okay, wonderful. I'm sure he was nice and chipper. That's a tough conversation. So we have some cuts that if you can get into our assistant there, we'll be playing those in the next segment of the show if you don't mind it. Yeah, if you don't look at it on it.

I can't play them. No, I just want you to look them up. Just make sure. So we got that come out of. And we have the tickets for University of Houston versus Westford, let's go. That's going to be a good game. That's going to guarantee that bowl spot.

Maybe get ourselves an opportunity to play in the college football playoff. We'll be giving those away between now. Shut up. No, I was laughing. I saw a meme on the social media. All right. It was about, I don't know. That's going to be on Saturday, November 1st, outside TDCU Stadium.

Oh, hells yeah. Yeah, so we've got two pairs of tickets to give away for that between now and a 2 o'clock this afternoon. 713-212-5-790. Let's talk to Charles on the Matt Thomas show with Ross. Charles, good morning. Good morning. How are you all today? Fine.

Thank you. Sleepy. First, I mean, I'm a lifelong Astros fan, and the fact that we're even having a conversation about playoff possibilities with the last two weeks of the season was a testament to how deep this team is because how many teams could survive this long with all the injuries they sustained. Well, and I would say zero. Yeah.

Yeah. So that being said, the fact that they were. rolled over and played dead the last week of the season is fairly unacceptable from the fan perspective. And I'm curious, I mean, not going to get into ripping and roaring and everything, but I am to ask this question, is the Joe Espada we see after a big loss the same guy the Astros are are seeing in the locker ring? Well, since we're not invited in there, I cannot possibly give you an answer.

answer. I will tell you this. No, no, I get it. I will tell you this. We're in a world, and I think you probably want to understand when I say this, if there was massive dissension in the clubhouse or people weren't buying into what he was saying or anybody for that matter, we'd hear about it. Chandler-Rome and Brian McTaggerer are in that clubhouse every single day, and they would say, hey, I got news for you. Joe may be saying one thing, but guys are turning a blind eye to it. It's in one ear and out the other.

I can go to all the different things you could say. The reality is we would know by now. When there is dissension in team locker rooms in all the sports, there are enough social media platforms that, you know, Ken Rosenthal or a Bob Nightingale or anybody that could say, yeah, I'm hearing whispers that this, this, this. I don't see those stories, Charles. It doesn't necessarily mean it's not happening.

but I thought we would have heard it by now. Well, and I'm not necessarily talking about dissension. I'm just talking about the ability to motivate. Well, what does he have to do to motivate? I mean, it's the last week of the season. I mean, I don't think I need my manager to motivate me here. It's 2025. These players are multimillionaires.

It's not firing brimstone. Rob, rob, bra. Let's go win one for the Gipper type of stuff. A Jose Altuve doesn't need Joe Spott. to motivate him. Carlos Correa doesn't either. And what Joe Espada is there to do is to have these players back and be a player and manager and yeah, encourage him and that's what he does. So I don't think, if you're looking for him to be like flipping tables and putting fingers

in chests and getting in guys' face, he's not doing that. No. He's not. And nobody is in 2025 as far as managers. Okay, well, I'll tell you this and then I'll hang up. The last thing is the Astros to a man are professionals. But it'd be nice to see, and again, this is from a fan perspective. Some of the other teams, the up-and-coming teams, seem to have an exuberance.

I mean, I don't know how to explain it really, but just that excitement, they still kind of enjoy playing the game. Does that make sense? That's not atypical of teams that are struggling. They were exuberant last week when they swept the Rangers. I mean, they were in a great mood when they beat the Rangers three straight games. Hazel Sanchez is extremely exuberant out there. I want him to play better. He's having a good time.

I'm not when I'm watching him. He's out there laughing and joking and making faces. And, you know, like when the pop-ups in the infield, they pretend that they're each catching it. Jose Al-Tuvra's having a good time out there. I mean, yeah, there's some exuberance. But when you lost your, you get your ass kick five. games in a row, who's going to be exuberant?

And by the way, if you're exuberant and you're being shut out in Sacramento, get out of my face. That's the thing, yeah. I took a few of these calls the last couple of postgame shows, Matt. The body language is bad. They're not having fun out there. They lost five in a row. Yeah.

If they were having, if everybody was laughing and joking, then it would be, oh, they're not taking this seriously. They don't care. If Cardo's Korea is doing cartwheels in the fifth inning and last night's game, there's going to be some problems. Yeah, Isok Paratus is limping the. first base. He's not looking very exuberant. He's just not. No, there is, I mean, honestly, if we were hanging out at their hotel today,

their heads are down. Because my head would be down. I mean, this is human nature. They're probably playing cards. But yeah. I mean, and I'll tell you this, and I hate to say this, and I can tell you this from first-hand experience, I always always thought that fans took it equally as depressing as the players do. No. Yeah. I'm going to tell you a story that the first time I was ever on a baseball charter.

We were playing. Then we. I was, of course, I was a backup catcher for the Minnesota Twins. I went to Chicago with the twins for game 163 against the Chicago White Sox. This had to be about 2008. They lost 1-0. In game 163, there were 40,000 people at that game at Kamisky Park, whatever they call it now. And I thought we'd get on the bus, on the plane, and I thought it would be like a funeral.

those guys were playing cards within 10 minutes getting on the plane. Athletes do take it, but they don't take it as hard as we do. And I don't need to paint with a broad brush, but I'm going to. Well, it's also, too, they're human beings. Like, we take it too, and then we're onto our activities. We're on our phone. We're watching YouTube. It's not like, and that's the thing, too, Matt, because they're in this fishbow,

we're looking at them and they should be doing this and this and this. if you have something that happens your life that doesn't go your way or whatever. I mean, 10 minutes later, you're watching a movie and you're laughing. And it's like, oh, well, you don't care. That doesn't mean you don't care. It'd be like your life goes on. It'd be like having a bad day at work and then being completely miserable for the rest of the day at your house. I mean, not hugging your kids, not kissing your wife, not talking to your mom on the phone.

I mean, yeah, you can carry it with you and carry on. Yeah. But, yeah, I know they're not happy about it. They're very disappointed. Yeah. There's nothing, I mean, yeah, I don't want them doing, I don't want them having a pep rally. They just, they're professional players. They got to go out there and win.

They got to go out there and win. All right. A couple of comments from Dana Brown. I didn't, you and I were getting the show set up today, so we did not even hear this. So we'll be hearing this as organically as the audience will be when we come back. 1043, it is Matt and Ross. We are at Big City Wings. Buy one, get one free, boneless wings today.

We're at the Tucker Tech location in the tour. 20,000 block of beautiful. Downtown Cyprus. Is there really you have a downtown Cyprus? There's no downtown.

There's no way. Yeah, they got a couple skyscrapers. I think there's an Exxon headquarters there. We're in Uptown Cyprus. 20,000 block. I like that. That sounds fancy.

It does. Uptown. Uptown. Uptown, Cyprus, Texas on Tuckets and Red. Big City wings. We'll buy one get one free monas. 713, 212,

5, 790. Matt and Ross. We're at Big City Wings today. Knocking back to boneless now during the break. Ooh, baby. Getting fat and happy out here. Mm.

We are in the 20,000 block of Pinkerton. Not Pinkerton. Pinkerton. What is this called? Tuckerton. I knew it was one of those tons. Where's Pinkerton? Is there even a Pinkerton's? There's a Pinkerton's barbecue. You went there and you ate the brisket and you liked it. Yeah, I did. You were three for three on Briscuit stops.

I'm here to learn you, Matt. All right. I told you to stop going on that place on the side of the road. That's true. I'll tell you what, Ray 3-R-Reed does a decent barbecue. It just does. It just does. It just does.

Don't want you laughing back there for. If I bring you some Raytree, you'll eat it. That's what I'm laughing because you got a good point. This is what I got to deal with. All right, let's hear from Dana Brown from a few minutes ago. Yes, Dana Brown asked, well, of course, 930 on Wednesdays, AM on the Sean Salisbury show. A couple of things from him asked the hard-hitting questions by Dan Matthews and Chris Gordy. Let's start off talking about something everybody wants to talk about.

That would be the offensive production this season. The overall production, you know, the injuries have certainly played a part, you know, and where we are right now with the overall production, it's been very tough. And, you know, what happens is when you suffer these injuries, you've got other guys trying to pick each other up. and it's been a little bit more different. Guys are putting a little bit more pressure on themselves. And so it's a snowball effect right now,

and then we're feeling it, you know, because, you know, we've been struggling to score runs. And so it's just been, you know, disappointing, you know, mainly because of the injuries. But, you know, the guys are still fighting through it and trying to get through this thing. And, you know, we're still alive. You know, we're knocked down, but we're still alive.

But see, they're not fighting through it. They didn't have much of a fight yesterday. No, they're swinging through it, Matt. Yeah. And look, I want to preface all this by saying Dan O'Brien has to say these things. He's a general manager. He's got to have his guys back. He's not going to say, these guys stink, and I'm getting rid of everyone in the offseason.

He's not going to say that. And I'm not blaming him because, again, put yourself in his shoes. Anytime you want to argue about something, and you want to criticize something that somebody else has done, put yourself in your shoes and do that. I can put myself in Dana Brown's shoes and saying, Hesou Sanchez, you were a butcher out there in left field last night. I can do that.

Yeah. That's why I said what I said. If I'm in Dana Brown's shoes and I'm asking questions asking what's going on the offense, if I say, well, yeah, we blank the bed for the better part of three months, and I can't believe we're doing this, I mean, that would resonate so poorly for him. He's got to say what he's got to say. So I understand what he said. I mean, why does Jeremy Payne have to have the oblique injury right now?

And you're done in the freak ankle injury. I mean, it has just been... This is insane. This is insane what keeps happening with all these injuries that have been popped up in it. And it has been a problem. Esoc Paredes is out there. Dude's out there with a hamstring off its bone, basically. I don't want...

You know, honestly, he can't... Oh, God. If you are trying to salvage your season, with a guy who can only run at about 40% and there is no thought of him playing the infield at all. No. That just shows you, he's got some big stones. He just does and I give him credit for it.

Yeah, we appreciate him battling out there. He wants to be there. He's showing some exuberance, but it's just, it's been tough. Some more Dana Brown. He also was asked about the team, had they hit, it's been looking like they're out of gas. Has the team hit a wall of fatigue? Now it looks like, you know, we've hit a wall because we're losing, right?

And so when you're winning, you don't think you hit that wall. But I don't think we hit a wall yet, you know. I just think that, you know, we've lost these five games and we can turn things around today. But look, we are running out of time. Make no mistakes. You know, we're running out of time. But we've got to get things turned around today. A win today could put us right back.

I don't think we hit a wall, though. I think, you know, we're going through a downtime at a bad time. You know, this is not a good time to lose five in a row. All right, I think he's repeating himself. Don't you feel like that's what you do when you don't really have an answer to a question or you're like trying to convince your... He's, no, we didn't hit a wall. No wall, that's a wall. I didn't hear you want a wall.

That's exactly what you say when you hit a wall. I've never heard of a wall. I don't even know what a wall is. That sounds ridiculous. Ridiculous. Wall? What wall? What is this wall you speak of?

We're going to win today and be right back in it. Now, again, we're two down with four to play, in theory. I'll tell you this. I don't know if they've hit a wall or not, but you look at Jose Al-Tuvae. He's having basically his worst month of the season at the plate in September. Christian Walker's basically having his worst month of the plate in September as well. And I want to say, I did this last night. I ended up looking month by month by month, everybody.

Like three or four of the guys who've been in the lineup are all having a their worst month of the season. Is that a wall or we're just saying it's all coincidence? Whatever, whichever we want to put it, they haven't been good. Well, how about players that have exceeded expectations coming to down to the norm, what they're normally

supposed to be doing? I mean, I guess Jake would be the only one, maybe. But Al-Tube, maybe he was performing more than we thought it was good. But Al-Tubei's been this guy. I mean, as I've told you before, when you start to regress because of father time,

Father Tampets in check with you. When do you want to start regressing you when you were 37 years old, or do you want to do in the middle of a pennant chase? Well, it's looking like it's happening right now for him. So, and I'll tell you this, and I love Carlos Gray, and it's been an acquisition that has helped this team, especially with Paredes injury. But the Carlos Cray of three or four years ago,

in terms of the wow, home run, slugging, RBI guy, and that's not him anymore. Yeah, he's been good. He hadn't been incredible. 488 games is an Astro, 286 average 775 OPS. good. That's solid. You like that playing really good third base. But that's good. But Al-Tube and

Corre are probably in a really good lineup. They're five and six hitters. That's not a belcow of your offense. Yordon Alvarez is your bell cow. He's been gone. Jeremy Payne is your table-setter. Unfortunately, this series, he has been gone. Are we done with Dana, by the way? We got one more. Oh, I'm sorry. We got one more

real quick. We're just getting off track. What's the message to the team right now with their backs against the wall? I like this one. Look, we look at it. as today, right? We look at it as today. You need to get this win today. If we win today, Detroit lose and Boston lose, we're back

to controlling our own destiny. And so that's the key. You've got to get a win today. And that's what's right in front of us. You know, Joe's talked to the team multiple times. You know, we've been down those roads, you know,

and inspiring the guys to get through it, you know, even despite the injuries and things like that. And so, look, we've battled. And I, you know, I give Joe a lot of credit for keeping things together. I know, you know, most clubs probably couldn't sustain such, you know, I mean, think about it. At one point, we had our one, two, and three hitter out all at the same time. Now we have our one and three hitter out right now in Yorda and Pena. And so it's just been a absolute grind throughout this entire season with these injuries.

and the guys continue to show up every day. And I know we're struggling on this five-game losing streak, but you have to turn things around today. You know, and there's a chance by the end of today we could be back controlling our own destiny. Well, that means is he presuming that the Astor is one of three-team tiebreaker? I don't know. Is that true?

I don't, I can't even. I don't know. Well, win your games. I don't even want to take a time record. Win your games. They lost five in a row. Mr. 5 and 1 was very confident. I ain't feeling it in a 4-2.

I've got to be honest with you. Brian McTagger joins us from Sacramento, James and James and Terry and Chris. We'll get to all of you, I promise. If you do not go anywhere, we're going to you, too. Yeah. 11-1. I'm getting choked up. Boy, McTagher should be here eating some of this food with us here.

Big City Wing. Man, the Berea fries? Sports are media. Whatever. People know what I'll say. See it with me, Maddie. Bedia. Beria.

713, 2125790. I'm a white person. I get these things wrong. Bria. Bria. You know, I'm a Spanish expert, Matt. Yeah, apparently you are. I heard you go to Walmart.

Express delivery to your door within an hour. You're such a whore. I learned from the best. You did learn for the best. Brian McTaggart, how is the nightlife in West Sacramento, California? Not existent. That's fair?

Sacramento's got Sacramento, just across the bridge there, got some little spots here and there. Not bad, but yeah, I've been to better places. Well, you knocked it off your list. That's good. I've been to Sacramento many times, obviously. It's not a bad little town. It's also a town the Astros can't seem to win in.

Brian, we have just been exacerbated we can't be speechless because we're doing a major market radio show but the approach where this team controlled its own destiny for the first time now it doesn't control its own destiny how stunned are you at the

lack of offense and just the lack of urgency that has hit this 26 man 28 man roster here the last couple days yeah I'm stunned I mean like everybody I thought after they swept the Rangers you know a week ago

they were tied for first place. He had the Mariners come into town, and I knew that would be a tough series. But even after they lost that series, I was like, okay. I mean, they still got this favorable schedule. But the A's been a bad matchup for them for whatever reason. I mean, they cannot beat the A's. And then last night when the Severino's pitching and, oh, he's terrible at home, and you know where this is going to go.

I mean, how many times did they face a pitcher who is struggling or major league debut? and he's going to come out and carve him up. And he did just that. So, you know, in a way it's stunning, but then it's kind of the way that season's played out. And, yeah, I mean, now, I think they have to win out now to have any chance. So they put themselves in that spot. You know, we had a caller asking about it. Is Joe doing the motivational thing?

Is he trying to fire him up if whatever he's doing, it's not working? You are in that clubhouse, and we always talk about if you all of a sudden change who you are in game 159 of the season, you're going to lose that clubhouse. But generally speaking, you've gone to do probably a very solemn, very quiet clubhouse the last couple days. Give me a thought or two from the veterans that you're talking to about what they're seeing and what they're doing in terms of not performing, not only not performing, but going to a ballpark

that's one of the most hitter-friendly in Major League Baseball I'm going to put together one run in the last two days. Yeah, I think with, first of all, with baseball clubhouses, it's very much the same pretty much every day. They play so many games. You go in there after a winner loss, for the most part you wouldn't know, unless if they win,

there's usually music playing. If they lose, there's not, so there hasn't been a lot of music playing lately. But you can sense the frustration from the guys, and, you know, Christian Walker talked a lot about it the other day, and are we pressing? You know, I don't know, how do you define that? And, you know, Korea got up and talked last night.

I know the fans want Joe to go in there, and, you know, B. Earl Weaver. And, I mean, it's just not the way it works anymore. I mean, it's just not the way baseball managers are wired. And I know that it is taught to these guys. But, hey, it's up to them to go out there and get it done. I mean, they're getting paid big money. If they can't get fired up for these games, getting motivated to play these games.

That's on them and not the manager. And, I mean, obviously, the injuries have caught up with his team. But, you know, Framber Valdez's collapse. You know, Al-Qaeda faded. Can Smith faded. I think really the loss of Alvarez and in pain you're not playing the last three days. It's just been devastating for them. I don't know if I answered the question, but I just ranted a little bit.

No, you're good. I like it. You gave us great materials always. That's why we pay you the big bucks, Brian. We appreciate it. And to that end, you know, you're talking about Joe Spada. I mean, it's the collapse of this level, even just a week ago, I would have said I feel like everybody's pretty much safe.

And this comes from the players, the coaches, whatever. How are you feeling if this keeps going the way that it has about this offseason upcoming for Joe Espada, for the hitting coaches who've been under a lot of public pressure, and for this Astro staff and some of the players like Christian Walker? Yeah, they have a lot of tough questions, tough decisions they have to be made. I mean, I wrote a couple weeks ago, I thought Espada would be manager of the year if they won the division. That's not going to happen. I mean, I still think for all the injuries that they've had, he's done a nice job.

that being said i you know i i do think that jim crane might want to shake some things up with with some members of the staff i don't know that for sure i'm just kind of guessing so um you know i think they'll review their medical staff and their you know return to play procedures and see where they're at but i think as far as players go um yeah what do you do with the christian walker i mean uh you know is he going to get better next year a year older you know i'm not sure he is so do you trade him and eat all that money? What do you do? Hesu Sanchez looks like a guy that's going to be non-tendered to me. I mean, he's been bad since he came over here.

He's going to make a little bit of money. So, you know, he's not been a good acquisition. So I think they walk past him, but they have to go get some pitching big time. I don't know if that's trade free agency. Do you trade one of your star players to get some pitching? There's just a lot of ways they can go. But injuries have devastated him. There's no doubt.

I mean, you know, we've seen that all year. but yeah it's going to be probably one of their most interesting off-season that they've had in quite some time. Well, not the off-season yet. Frambervalde is also an interesting off-season. It's going to be for him as well, but he is on the hill today. And, you know, Brian, I've been kind of thinking to myself, it feels like the times where you doubt Framber the most is when he comes through,

but I've been doubting him the most the last few times he's been out there, and he just has not been able to turn it around. What is going on? Yeah, I don't know. He's just completely lost it here over the last couple of months. They're what, one and nine in his last 10 starts for what he had that two-month stretch. And every time he pitched, they won. I think they won 13 starts in a row, and he was automatic.

And I'm like, he's going to get Cy Young votes. And it's just completely lost it here. I mean, this would be a chance for him and, you know, what could be, and probably should be his final start in the regular season with the Astros to see, hey, make a stand right here, win this game, put some pressure on Detroit to win tonight. and maybe if they can pull even going into the Angel series, they have a chance. But if he goes out there and doesn't get it done again, that's it. They're done.

So it's sort of Fromber's last stand here with the Astros hopes on his back. And that's if you're an Astros fan, that's probably something you don't feel good about. A couple more minutes here with Brian McTaggart of the MLB.com. And on the Astros beat with us from Sacramento. So what's going through Jose Al-Tube's mind that I hate. to do this to you, but you're with those guys almost every single day. Carlos Correa, you get two veteran guys. Correa's been really good since coming back.

Doesn't have the power that he once had. Probably never going to have it again. The Altovae drop has been considerable. These guys, if they're batting fifth, sixth, seventh in your lineup, are going to be guys you can live with doing that. But if there have been in your one, two, three, four spots, it makes this offense, you know, very lean, to say the very least. what is going through Jose

what's going through Carlos right now yeah I mean I think both of them have got to be frustrated and I could tell talking to Carlos last night he was you know a little frustrated and he even he even said hey we know the fans are frustrated but

so are we I mean this is our livelihoods Altube's been in the playoffs eight years in a row this is going to be something that's you know he hasn't experienced in a long time when this club was coming out of the rebuild so that probably doesn't feel good but look at their lineup and compare to when the men you know the mariners came to town i was going up and down their lineup and that lineup they had j p cropper hitting ninth and he hits a grand slam i mean he would you know uh they look at the yankees lineup thunder up and down the line thatsters just don't have

that it's part of it is injuries part of it is players underperforming part of it as players regressing um they're just at a point where they you know they're going to have to make some changes offensively to get better in the offseason and they need pitching. Like I said, it's, uh, I think for Al-Cubei and Correa, it would be tough, you know, for them to swallow not making the playoffs, but, um, you know, Al-Tube is also playing with a sore foot. We, in the clubhouse last night, we were trying to get an interview with him, but he was, he was still getting treatment on that right foot. So that's probably something that's impeding him as well. So, uh, it's just, it's just a big barrel of everything gone wrong here at the same time.

You know, to me, Brian, I brought this up on the show yesterday. Baseball season is in theory 26 weeks, 25 of the weeks. We're like, man, this has been cool. This team has overcome so much injuries and still in first place and gritty and getting these big wins and beating first place teams. And then, Brian, in this 26th the week, it has just gone from, wow, these guys are gritty to do they give a damn? I mean, Jesus Sanchez butchering two balls in left field yesterday, I don't do this very often. often, but I brought this up on social media yesterday. I don't want to see him play anymore.

I was so discouraged that the team, and I hate to use the term listless, but to me, it's been listless the last couple days. And I don't know if you can do that overcoming all the things they have done for so many months with so many injuries and so much underperforming to still have a puncher's chance. I think that's why the frustration is kicked in for me personally and for a lot of our listeners. Yeah, I get it. They do look listless. and when, you know, the other pitcher's carving you up and you're not getting a runner to third base until the ninth inning.

It's tough to watch. It's tough to sit through. You know, I wonder how much the sweep to the Mariners just sort of really deflated them to where, not that they didn't still have a lot to play for at that point, but, you know, this is a team that wins the division every year and sort of, you know, represented a changing of the guard here. This was a, the Mariners were out there having a blast. They were having fun. You know, they had the Trident and the dugout. And the team on the other side looked like they were just absolutely miserable.

I just wonder how much that just took out of them. And they're just, you know, limping to the finish line here. And now it looks like unless they really get it together, they're probably going to miss the playoffs. And that's something we haven't seen around here in a while. And mentioned the lineup and talk about it lacking some depth and maybe being better on paper than on the field. A part of that has been Yanner Diaz.

If you go is OPS Plus the last three years, it has gone down significantly year after year. What do you think is going on there? Is that just he's having some bad luck this season? Is everyday catching something that is maybe wearing down on him? So it just makes me wonder kind of what the future is for him as well. Yeah, I think that's another reason. He's, you know, he's regressed as well. If I were the Astros, you know, I mentioned non-tendering Sanchez.

I would probably, if I'm Dana Brown, I would try to trade Yiner. I don't like his approach at the plate defensively. He's got big time limitations. I would try to trade him and upgrade that position defensively. I'd re-sign Karatini. I would just remake the catching position because I don't think Yiner is going to be it. So I think that's, you know, one of the many things they have to look at. In addition, you know, what do you do with Christian Walker?

You know, where do you at starting pitching? you know, how do you handle Altuvae going forward? Like I said, I mean, they have a lot of questions that they've never had to ask for a long time here. It was just, hey, roll out these guys and they're going to win 90-95 games and win the division. They're not at that point anymore. So Dana Brown's got his work cut out for him here this offseason, and it's going to be very, very interesting. We always appreciate your Thursday visits with us.

You're going to come on with us again probably the next couple weeks when all the blank hits the fan at some point with decisions. So just know that you're always welcome here on 790. Thank you for the time. Safe travels down to Anaheim and we'll talk with you very soon, friend. All right, guys, enjoyed it. Thanks for having me. All right, you got it. Brian McTaggart. I was going to say

we'll look forward to talking with him next Thursday. Well, can we get him into... We're going to get him in. The season wrap up. It just won't be a... We'll ask him again. That's interesting he said about Yiner being traded. I think another team might see value at putting him at first base. Because there's nowhere for him to play first base with the Astros.

He can be a first baseman and get you 20-25 home runs if he keeps his legs fresh. And he can't throw people out anymore. Yeah, exactly. And, I mean, you can't have him first here because your candidates are already East Oakh Paredes and Christian Walker and whatever order you want to put him in. So ideally, you'd like to transition him to first, but you can't do that here. It'll actually be interesting, and I think the fans will embrace it if this team does have a very active off-season. Oh, okay. Hold on.

We're in off-season talk. What are you wanting to do? You want to talk about currencies and talk? No, I ain't part of that right now. It's September 25th. I don't want to be here. It's your fault. My fault?

Yeah. What did I do? I don't know. It just sounded good to say that. I'm not swinging through my shoes. I mean, maybe the batting cages at Celebration Station, but not on the mountain. You know what you are?

You're Hesu Sanchez's personal outfield coach. I actually am the Hesu Sanchez of the batting cages at Celebration Station, but that's another story for another time. You know, let's go to games for people to play. Let's change things up. Ooh, I missed that place. Or Malibu Grand Prix on the go-carts? Oh, I just hurt my oblique thinking about swinging.

All right. We are here at Big City Wings on Tuckerton in the 20,000 block. 20,000 block. 2-3-3-0-3-3-0. Put it in your Google machine, Matt. Who says that? Nobody. All right.

7-13-212-5.790. Those of you on hold will get to you. If you want to get into some Nick Caley, talk, We can do. Oh, no. Oh, hell. All right, we got, I just don't get it coming up at about 10 minutes from now. That's the segment that we do on the show where you just don't get something in life.

Will it be sports-related? Will it be about your life? And we're going to help you with that. I just don't get things. Well, look at Ross getting a business car. What is that for? Free something? What do you get some free wings or something?

What do you got over there? It's free something, but I don't want to tell you because you don't need it. hair replacement salon oh salon oh that seems sensitive see that's rude i didn't want to that's fine you brought it up but i didn't right i wasn't going to say anything you're right

all right let's go the phones that's a loyal listener sam sam the hairdresser he said he'll come take care of me really i usually just get a trim and a beard trim though do you do straight raisers you use straight raisers on the chin on the chin his wife will

all right his wife will do it for you Straight razor. Yeah, straight razor. You didn't have to pause. You paused. I said something and then you said nothing. Okay. James and Sherland in 1124 on 7 out of hello James.

Oh, hey, how's it going? Good. I was going to call and talk about the Astros a little, but man, just talk about the Joe Espada motivating these guys. And I remember when I was younger, I played beer league softball. Even the guys playing beer league softball are motivated. Nobody wants to make an out. Nobody wanted to make an error in the field.

These professional players, they're the most competitive guys there are on the face of the earth, I would think. I don't think Joe could do anything to motivate them further. But the real reason I was calling that is, as long as I'm, I've lived in Houston and I've been here forever. There's only one of the three major sports teams that is ever really good at a time, it seems like. So to lighten the mood a little bit, let's think about it. The Astros are bad right now. They look like they're going down.

We thought the Texans might be on the Ascension, but it looks like they're not headed very well. So, Matt, I think you may be calling games for Western Conference Finals or War. World Champion Rockets this year. I hope so. Your mouth, the gods ears, my friend. Let's get excited about that. Hey, but you know what? We'll do this right now.

We don't believe in prayer very much on the radio show. And if you don't believe in prayer, I get it. I understand that as well. But if you do believe in prayer, put your hands together. Say a little prayer for the Rockets. A little one. Your radio home for the Houston Rockets. Just a little one.

Sports Talk 790. All right. We're going to New Orleans for some reason. Hello. Oh, yeah, bitch. Hey, Chris Yod, Cajon Radio 790. What do you say? Hey, actually, I'm not a native New Orleans.

I'm a Houston transplant. I've been here since the late 90s. That being said, and I'll let you know, don't ever come to New Orleans and try to find Tex-Mex. It's horrible. Everything else is great. That being said, you know, I get all the disappointment with the Astros this season.

I think when they were able to hold it together with basically scotch tape and popsicle sticks through injuries, a lot of people got too excited about what was going to happen. And I always think about it in a real world term. These are guys that have jobs. There's somebody that is managing them at their jobs, and they've got to have the resources to do their job. So just like when you see these news stories about, you know, there's a shortage on a police department, and their profit. it up by paying all these officers overtime. At some point that you're going to burn through that capital. And if you have these people that are doing that, that are holding the ship together, and they're told, look, reinforcements are coming. Reinforcements are coming. Reinforcements are coming.

At some point, they don't come, or they come, they get them, and then boom, they're back out again. That kind of slows your role, so to speak. And I think the other thing, is when people say, oh, we talk to these players and, you know, they haven't checked out or they haven't shut down. You know, they may be saying that, and they may not even realize they've shut down. I don't know if you guys have ever had this in your professional career or maybe with your significant other, where you're sitting there and you're in a situation and, you know, afterwards, somebody at work or your significant other comes to you and says, hey, you know,

when that happened, you shut down and you look at them and you go, no, no, no, no, I know you well, and I can look at your body language. You shut down. You don't even know that you shut down. And I think that's a lot of what's going on. I'll also say that my two favorite times of the year are spring training because it's like you just got a new car and then play off baseball if you're winning because it's like that new car is a Ferrari. At this point, I don't know what we look like for the postseason.

It doesn't look good. But, hey, I am looking forward to West Palm at this point. So there is that and hopefully make some good off-season moves. and we get back. It's not as if we've got to do a total rebuild. We need to get some of these guys healthy instead of having them go out there and play it 50%, basically taping it and playing.

Thanks, Chris, for the phone call. We've got to go on that note. Yeah, I mean, you can look forward to West Palm. It depends on what side of 95 you're on. 24.6% playoff odds, how are we feeling? Not good. It was 66% two days ago. That's why the percentage thing is a bogus.

I don't need a computer to tell me. You win, you win, you win the games. I don't care of it's just a piece of dad. It's not going to hurt you. Dana hurts me. Dana hurts me and data hurts me. Data and Dana? Both of them.

Okay. All right. What don't you get? Don't answer that question. In your life. I've got answers. You know, we get a little last row break. You're blowing my ears out here.

Well, I'm just saying, I'm just doing a radio show. I'm trying to speak in front of 19,000 people. And we've got a nice crowd for me in here. Huge. They're all drinking 34-ounce beers. I'm jealous. They're grown-ass men drinking 34-ounce beers. I'm actually jealous.

There's no sippy cups in here. I can tell you that for a day. I don't want to be drunk of the dentist after the show, though. That'd be hysterical. They'd think I got a hold of the drugs before I got there. You need to brush your teeth. You mean you go black? No, because your breast stinks.

You smell like button wince, sir. Yeah, what we've got on tap over here? You got everything on tap. I'm about 30. A lot of options. A lot of options. At the big city wings, Tuckerton location. 20,000 block.

20,000, 330. Buy one, get one free in the boneless wings, by the way. Let's go. Let's go. I just don't get it. What don't you get? 713-212-5-790. Do you have something in your life that you just don't get?

No need to worry. No need to fret. We will see if we comprehend. The things that may confuse our friends, it's time to say, I just don't get it. This is our half hour. Now, we sometimes talk sports during this segment or sometimes we just go off the beaten path. I'm going to go with sports. My first I just don't get it.

Mine will be sports as well, Matthew. All right. Legerious Sneed. Does that name ring a bell to you? Yeah, absolutely. He is a cornerback for the Tennessee Titans. Yeah, and he was previously... Packers?

Where was he before that? I don't remember. It doesn't really matter. It doesn't matter. He plays for a team that has not. He plays for a team that has not won a game. Uh-huh. And the chances of them winning more than, say, four games is minimal.

Would that be fair to say? Yes, it would. Okay. So he was being interviewed by the Tennessee, the Nashville media, asking about Nico Collins. And he says, who, two different times when asked about Nico Collins? Uh-huh. Now, he had some earwax build up, perhaps an infection.

He did. he had his earphones on too loud he was listening to the greatest musician of them all of course that of course would be your buddy Stevie Wonder no uh Kendrick Lamar okay yeah

well he's more of the greatest arguably the greatest lyricist of all that's okay that's why he has a Pulitzer literally a Pulitzer prize yes the great lyricist Kendr Lamar absolutely uh okay so I don't get why he

would say that because, first of all, NFL is a fraternity. Okay? You're supposed to have respect for each other. First of all, he knows who he is. Second of all, why would you want to get into a war words when your team sucks and you're going against one of the best 10 or 11 wide receivers in the NFL? Rossi, I say, I just don't get it. Matt, we know pro football focus is not the end all be all.

Oh, we go. We like it, though. There are a hundred and two cornerbacks graded. 102. 102 cornerbacks rated so far this season. Okay. Legerius Sneed is ranked 87th. Okay, so let's put this in perspective.

The 87th best cornerback just said he didn't know who one of the top 15 wide receivers were in the NFL. He's talking trash. It's not even good trash. I will say that I get it just in the fact that NFL players talk trash and think they're better than they are. But I'm with you that he shouldn't be doing this. Bulletin board material also doesn't matter at the NFL level, as we talked about with Joe Spotted doesn't need to be flipping tables and rob, rob, wrong guys. But what are we doing here? What good can come from this?

Either maybe somehow Nico Collins gets shut down during the game, but it didn't matter that you've said anything. and if on the other side Nico Collins goes off, whether it be on a matchup against Legerius Sneed or whoever, you just make easy social media material and talking points for people if and when Nico Collins gets a touchdown on your team.

Social media can be used to promote yourself to promote a cause at SportsRV on Instagram. Please follow me. Hey, I got a lot of nice new Instagram followers yesterday at SportsMT. I want to thank you for that and I will, yeah, at SportsMMMM. for your Instagram follow.

Hold on. You told me the Astros is going to win if I followed you. Unfollow that. If you followed him after he said the Astros will win, they've lost five in a row. You said the Astro was going to win

the AOS and I followed you. I'm going to put it in more perspective here for you. I'm unfollowing you right now. If you follow me on Instagram at SportsMT, your blood pressure will go down. Unlakely. Your cholesterol level will go down.

Way unlikely today. And you will gain more friends. I don't want more friends. It's like a friend. Yeah, because you, Well, you need some. I've seen your crew. I'm chilling.

Okay. All right. So that's what I don't. I just don't get non one, but I'll let you guys go next. Okay, hold on. Let me hit the unfollow button real quick here. Okay, that's done. That's not nice.

Follow me at SportsMpteen because Ross is just unfodled me. That's not true. I'm just kidding. So rude. Well, false promises, Matt. No, it's called High Hopes. Okay, Matt. So as you know, the 8.

The ABS challenge system was ratified, as it were, for Major League Baseball this week. I saw a tweet from our good friend Bob Nightingale. He said that 23 teams voted in favor of the challenge system. Seven teams opposed it. Why? I just don't get it. Human factor. But you still have the human factor.

You're getting more calls right. They're getting it 20 to 20. calls wrong a game, each and every one of those can completely swing a game, changes the complexion of A-Bs, changes the approach of both the hitters and the pitcher, and affects games.

And you can at least, first of all, they should get every single call right. I kind of get why they're doing that. I'm not going to use that. But for seven out of 30 teams to vote against a challenge system that's just two per game for every team, there is going to be a section of the population

that's going to say, I just don't want technology in this four period. teams, maybe they don't want to pony up the cash. Jim Crane's like, no. No, we don't know that. Don't put that out there. We got to install what? That's going to cost, huh? Yeah, no. Well, that's a no. That's a no for me, dog. No, I think the challenge system is great, and hopefully it works

so well that we'll get every pitch eventually decided on. But I'm willing to take small steps. We're installing the technology to get every single pitch right. Over 200 per game. Let's get four right. Well, it could be more than that. You keep winning the call. The challenges, it could be more. It's about 50-50 from spring training calls got overturned 52% of the time.

All right. Jonathan, what don't you get, my man? I just don't get looking at this Astros Twitter, and I probably shouldn't have done that. I don't get why. Oh, my God. Now you're going to lose your. But I couldn't fathom after these losses. Yeah, it's horrible losses, you know.

But all the Espada hate get, he's getting, I just don't understand that for when we rewind and go to June and July, he's making up these roster spots with space cowboys and winning and he's getting these praises oh he should be a you know he should be MVP or you know whatnot and then you go down to the end of the season and his players aren't performing it's his fault i know he's supposed to be the fall guy and everything but i'm also seeing cam smith get hay as well but the only reason you guys are in this position right now is because can smith a dude that just did a whole NCAA season on top of this with no rest got y'all 30 with 30 games when all your roster is out and he was the top dog to do it. So I just don't understand why those two are getting in hey there. So I'm going to give you the worst tweet I've seen in quite some time. Really? And I'm not going to retweet it because I don't want to give him, but I'm going to at least doing it to my show. Is it from Adam Clinton?

Ooh. Oh. At my breath has been taken away on that line. Oh, come on. We love Adam. At Trev Hauer. Joe Espada as manager 12 and 24

starred in 2020 worst start in franchise history and they won the division Oh okay thanks Number two lineup changes every game Listen to you you idiot They change a lot up every damn day

Come on Okay seriously Number three The Frumber Valdez Incident of 2025 Now I'll say How's that Joe's fault Well he could have said

Your ass is out for a start I mean, they go suspended him. Okay. But it may be more data than anything else, but whatever. And give the start to who? Number four, zero accountability. The players make the same mistakes. What are these same mistakes that I'm making every single time?

Zero accountability? What? And number five. This is the one that really gets me. This really grind your gears. Country club mentality, no toughness. How do you see? Where's this in here, Triv, how are you idiot?

How do you know what kind of country club if it's a lot? a country club atmosphere. I don't even know it. And I'm a reality. Well, first of all, every major league team's in a country club atmosphere. Last time I checked, they're all country club members. They're all on private planes and getting full spreads. This is not a major league where they're making them take a bus.

They're not on Greyhound. This is one of the worst things I've ever seen. And the problem is, you've got eight hundred six likes. 8606? Yeah. Oh, my Lord. There are Andrews six... There are entered six idiots out there.

How could you like this tweet? That's bad. That makes me sad. And here, 12 and 24 starred in 20204, and they won the division? I mean, seriously! That's a asses Twitter in a kind of nutshell right there. You should get full credit for rallying the season. I mean, seriously, I just don't get it.

A week ago, they swept the Rangers, and he's manager of the year. Yeah. So, Jonathan, I'm right there with you. To the phones next. 46 on the Matt Thomas Show at Ross. I mean, seriously, that goes as dumbest tweet of the year. Or it's certainly a candidate. And by the way, smartest thing you can do with the year at SportsMT on Instagram.

Oh, my God. You were such a shame. That might be a record. Five plug-ins in one segment. That's actually impressive. Well, you know what? I do it because it angers Ross so much. That's why I do it.

We're at Big City Wings on Tuckerton. You're just so predictable. I'll leave it. That's fine. Predictable. 10 to 2. $20,000 block. Buy one, get one free.

And, I mean, there are four grown-ass men drinking large-ass beers here. I love that. That's what we're here for. Americana. We got one guy in the back that's got a smaller beer. Come on, gentlemen, let's go. Let's get your size up there. 713-212-5-7-90.

Graham account. I got nobody following me in the last few minutes. Oh, my God. Well, please. Let's do it. People, this man needs constant validation. Please go follow him at Sports RV. I mean, no.

Oh, look at you. Hold on. Look what you just did. Wait a minute. That was a slip of the time. legitimate slip, accidental slip of the tongue. You've been slipping your tongue for years. Well, all right.

Let's go to the phones. Never mind. Logan, what don't you get? Logan, I love him 52. Sports empty. Hey, Logan. I get. Listen, I love listening to Barry talking about.

I got to go to me. He's talking about selling them. You know, he's the big. Yeah, Logan, that's our phones. Try to call back and come back on a different line. Yeah, call on four or five. Like you can. The web phones are great.

Web phones suck. If you're a business, do not use the web to use your phones, okay? Just telling you that right now. I don't think these any of these three people here. Excuse me, sorry. You choked up over there? A little choked up here. Have some Berea fry.

You'll be fine. Yeah. Bedia. Bia. That's what I said. Berya. Okay. Those other three people are not, just don't get it.

Logan just caught back in line. We'll try this again. Okay. All right, Logan, we're going to try you again. Hi, Logan. What did I say wrong? No, our phone lines are messed up. Try it again.

There's been a lot of talk about the Astros. Preston. And I don't think a team that's been in a playoffs for seven or eight years, they're all professional. Yes, they've had guys from AAA coming up on the mound at shortstop and in the outfield. And by the way, I don't know how Sanchez ever made it past double A. I mean, the guy belongs down in the grid. But let's listen.

They've had, do you think, oh, oh, that's a joke? What's he done? Okay. How sick and tired of you, are you, you can say that Yordaun's going to hit 15 home runs next week? How sick and tired of you are seeing, seeing him swinging at dirt balls? How sick and tired of you are seeing. Al Thubet is going to be in the Hall of Fame. He may be in tomorrow.

But I'm sick and tired of him. Living vicariously through Pete Rose, thinking he can go five feet outside the strike zone and go and knock those low outside sliders out over into the field. He used to be able to do it. He can't anymore. Some pitching coach has to tell him, hey, Jose, okay? He's hit into 100 double plays. He can't hit those reach out on those low sliders anymore.

That's what Pete Rose used to live on, and he's not Pete Rose. He loves the pitch. And that's his sucker pitch. Every pitcher in baseball knows that if they can't get them on any other pitch, they can get them on that. Any team would have been Anderson at first base or any other player on the Astros would have done on not necessarily a World Series team, but just a more competitive team where they had better coaching.

What? Web phones. That's not here. That's not Logan talking the whole time, is it? He looks like this. Logan, look, this. Yeah, H-Tan, Logan, Holden Dad. That's what it went to.

We were the chopped in screwed mode with Logan. I think the deep voice is an actual voice, though. I don't know. No, he can't. No, the phones, our phones are having some issues right now. No way. Logan, we got you. We got the gist of it.

You don't have to call back. Yeah, that's okay. That was weird, dude. I've never seen that. Jose Al-Tuvé is no Pete Rose. Okay, he's not the all-time hit king. I'm sorry. He's my favorite astro of all-time.

Well, he's hitting two. 60. Yeah, that's fine. He is the crappiest bass runner I've ever seen in my life. I love him for everything else. Hey, hey, we crushed, you crushed Jeff Bagwell for not performing

when he was 35, so you got to do the same for Jose Al-Tubei. He still leads a team in home runs. Okay, Jeff Baguel, 35 couldn't swing a bat. Exactly. It's not his fault. You're lucky he even performs for you, people. Let's see.

Jose Al-Tuvei, OPS Plus, the last four years. Go. Let's run it. 161. Love it. Elite. 151.

Excellent. 124? Excellent. Good. Very. No, no, no. Don't you do good. It's good.

Excellent. 100's average. 124 is significantly above average. 111. Good. Really good. But that has been a four year of decline. I haven't declined in four years.

Wins above replacement? He's at 0.5 for the year. That's bad. Aaron Judge is like at 10. I'm not putting Aaron Judge and Jose Al-Tube in the same conversation. Who's trying to do that? I'm not. I'm just saying, you know, well, we did in 2017.

Real quick, before we get to the top of the hour. He's got less war than Ramon Ureus. By the way, the Asteros trades. I mean, Karei worked out, but the others have not. They just haven't. He's got less war than Yordon Alvarez who played 48 games. Geo on Sebenani, Geo, what don't you get? All right, guys.

I want to start off by saying, great show. I listen literally every single day when I came. You're the best. What I don't get, this one's going towards Matt. Matt, I follow you on Instagram and I also follow Ross on Instagram. But what I don't get is why when Ross started advertising the Instagram out of nowhere, you just started advertising your Instagram like, you know, like it was some sort of competition. And I just want to say I'll follow you guys both.

Ross, your Instagram is way more, way more beyond belief, way better than Matt's Instagram, man. So I'll give you props on that, man. Matt, get it together, man. I'm sorry. Gio's making a lot of good points. Gio's making a lot of good points. Gio, I hope you don't get pneumonia. But if you do, I hope you don't have to go to the hospital.

You know what? I couldn't take a better ringy endorsement from Gio. At Sports Harvey on Instagram, I'd appreciate the follow. Now, the reality is this. I don't post a lot on Instagram, but I go for value over just sheer volume. I'm a volume guy. I know you are. No, I'm not.

I have 100 posts. You have 700. And you're trying to do this for financial gain. I'm doing it because I just want to connect with my people. For love of the game, baby. Yeah, whatever. I'm going to Target. Follow me at Sports RV.

Hey, you can go to Target. You're not going to get the great values and the variety that you love at Walmart. I dropped your name at Walmart when I went. What happened? They punched you in the face. They charged me 30% more. It kick you in the shin. Geo, that's a call of the year, Joe, you should be embarrassed for yourself.

Call of the year, Gio. Remember, Gio, I don't want you to get any sort of STDs next time you're out. At Sports RV on Instagram. I couldn't take a more ringing endorsement. Yeah, I'm so thrilled for you. All right. The news that dude is up next. We've got Astros on deck at 130.

You know what your Instagram is, but it's just because you're on it more often. I'm trying. I'm busy. I've got nine jobs. I know. I know. You got volleyball daddy. You're volleyball.

I'm doing play-by-play volleyball this Saturday on ESPN. I've only got one job and no children. Woo! Yeah. Let's go. I'm doing, I got U.H. Pre-UH volleyball. I've got Astros.

I'm doing Rockets games coming up. I'm a busy man. You should just follow me because we're friends. I'm not trying to... I do follow you. Yeah, that's what it is. Be a friend, follow SportsMT. That's it.

Nice and simple. Okay. Geo. The Houston Astros losing streak stretches to five games as they fall in Sacramento. Six to nothing. Oh, you thought that was bad. I did traveling Wilburys. If you do not.

shame yourself by your horrible music take on the traveling mollberries it is the end of the line it just is it was a song that fit it's about the theme I don't ask you to sing that song during the show I don't ask you it just songs that fit the mode the mood of the air at the time the traveling willberries folks all right Jonathan give the grade one to ten I'm afraid to ask but go ahead you know what this is a hard one though I'm gonna give it two categories road trip and you wake up in the morning with a hot coffee,

nine out of ten. You know what I mean? But you let that go past 9.30? Yeah, three, seven. By the way, shout out. Flimsy Pizza. Wesley Montavo,

Z. Butler, 133 stir, Hart Carey, Rachel de Toro, and seven sunny 13. Oh, follow me on Instagram. How many did you get?

One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, new people. God love you. Seven a day. I got one. Yeah, because they heard you're harassing of me.

I didn't harass anybody. Geo said it. Well, you laughed it up at Sports RV. He gave Matt more followers. He looked and gave a better advertising. Yeah, Geo Loki helped me. Thank you. Thank you, Gio.

You're welcome. I hope you don't get pneumonia. If not you get an antibiotic. At Sports RV, thanks to Bart. Thanks to Bart Moore Jr. I'm following you back right now. Okay, I can't guarantee. Yeah, see, Matt doesn't follow you back.

I do. I mean, if you got some good photos, I'm good. What does that mean, Matt? That means something makes me interested in your life. life and I'll look forward to seeing many of them. Something that makes you interested in them? Yeah. In their life's thing.

If they're a cool place. All right. You want to be creeped on. Follow sports in tea. If you want to be followed back by a respectable gentleman. Well, who's that going to be? All right, let's get to the news. And I don't mean to give you your headline, but I think you know.

I think you know what you have to do. The lineup, please. Jeremy Payne is out. out of the lineup again. How are you feeling? Not great. All right. You want the rest of the lineup?

It is. Okay, I lost it. Hold on. Matt Stalford. No, you're going to say, mention your Instagram. No. Hold on here.

Hey, we got it. Rotten 5 at $12.50, by the way. We still have two pair of U.H. West Virginia tickets. How are we doing this, by the way? I don't know. If people come by, they come by, I ask for them. We'll let these two guys if they want them here,

but you have to make sure to go to the game. That's most important. El Tuve. At second base. Isak Parades. Designated hitter, batting second. Carlos Correyes at the hot corner. Batting third at third.

Victor Caratini is your catcher. He is batting a cleanup. Christian Walker is at first base. He bats fifth. Jesus Sanchez is in right field. He bats six. I'm skipping that part of the game. I'm not having that.

Zach Cole patrolling center field. He bats seventh. Taylor Tremel in left field. He bats eighth. Marisu Dubon is at short. He bats ninth. Notable omissions. Jeremy Pena still hurt.

Yiner Diaz out of the lineup completely. And Jake Myers getting the day off as well was that Colin's in the field. Okay. Here's the reality of it. How we feel? No, the reality is that's a lineup that wins you 70 games a year. Can this be one of them? Can you get four of those 70 in the next four days?

You can you believe we're down to four days left of this regular season? That's it. I can't believe it because this has been a long, strange trip this 2025 season. Yeah. All right, what else you got to hit news headline-wise? The Tigers lost to the Guardians. Yes. The Boston Red Sox defeated the Toronto.

By the way, Toronto. Toronto does not have a firm grasp of an American League East. No, they do not. They are knotted up with the Yankees at the moment. And I think Toronto is a tiebreaker over them. So as of right now, Ashros, one game back of the Detroit Tigers, who are two games back behind the Red Sox. So it's between you and the Tigers.

At this point, Tigers have one game left against the Guardians. Then they have a three game set against the Red Sox. You have to win out with them going two and two or worse, basically, at this point, for you to notch that wild card spot. Fan graphs, 24 and a half percent, say them, say they, with the Astros and their playoff odds. How we feel. Let's cousin discuss some Texas football. Y'all want to?

Let's go. Let's go. Texas Titans. Let's bring it on down. There was some Nick Cayley talk. What you said? We're about to get into some Nick Cayley talking about a week, Maddie. Oh, my God.

Seriously. Rocket season cannot come fast enough. I want to be purely selfish for us. May I be selfish for 30 seconds? Yes. We got Meady Day coverage on Monday. That's going to ease the pain of the end of the regular season for the Astros, right? Yes.

Number two, even with Fred Van Bleed out, the Rockets should be a very dangerous basketball team. Now, I did tell somebody within the Rockets organization they had the must bubble wrap Kevin Durant under all circumstances. And number three, it's going to provide a lot of early season conversation for us that we frankly haven't had for the rockets in a long period of time. And I'm looking forward to it because we're not going to have postseason baseball to talk about because unfortunately we as a Houston sports market. When our local teams are not involved, we can give two craps about anybody else. All right, Matt, one quick baseball note. Cowrally hits his 59th and 60th home runs. the latest

American League MVP gambling odds have Cow rally as your minus 200 favorite what happened he got 60 home runs is that is that the

Aaron judge is at 51 but I thought everything we went through last week dictated that judge was going to win the war judge has a higher OPS higher OPS plus higher war higher basically everything but you know

writers vote writers like narratives inherently Cowrally at the moment the favorite to win the American League MVP I wouldn't bet it let's say you I think we did this last week everything dictated

that Aaron Judge was going to win the award now is it going to know is 60 home run sexy yes is the Seattle Mariners story incredible yes and also you get voter not fatigue, not fatigue, yeah.

No, I think it is fatigue. Venned judge has won a couple of MVP's already. So he's got a 9.3 war. Cow rallies 7.2. 230 OPS plus, Aaron Judge. 172 for Cow rally. Both are worthy of it if there wasn't.

Again, is Aaron Judge going to get the LeBron treatment? Because LeBron probably should have won four or five more. Just saying. Cow rallies batting average. 248 Aaron Judge 328 He's going to win the batting title

I honestly He's going to win the batting title With 50 homers That's insane You're not insane that is I don't even think it should be that close How did how did Vegas all of a sudden Shift on this so quickly

Because he got to 60 Do you think they would have Do you think they called writers and asked I don't know They might have limits on Especially on these types of things They have limits so they can't get hurt too bad So I don't know exactly what's going on

Or who they pull and these things can change week to week. All right. On the phones, we go next. 713212-1-2-5-790. 7-1-3-212-5-7-90. We're at Big City Wings on Tuckerton Road in Cyprus, 20,000 block. It is buy one, get-one-free, boneless wings today.

And they are delicious. Delicious, and the lunch crowd is coming in. And they're frothy and they're day-drinking. And it makes it for a good show on here. We're having a good time. So come on by and see us. We'll be here in Cyprus all the way. until 2 o'clock this afternoon.

713-212-5-790. Big City Wings, Tuckerton and Cyprus. Uptown Cyprus here on Sports Talk 790. Matt and Ross were at Big City Wings in Uptown Cyprus. 20,000 block of Tuckerton. Woo! Till 2. Till 2 o'clock.

All right, so Jeremy Penae was not in the last. lineup. Oh yeah, a couple of notes. Joe Espada went to go speak to the media before the game like he does before every game. And what did Joe Espada tell the gathered media in West Sacramento? Well, Pena might have talked to them, maybe talking in the clubhouse because this, McTaggart putting this out in Chandleroma, the others. Jeremy Pena is saying imaging has been done on his oblique. It shows a strain, and he still feels it on mild swings of the bat. He's frustrated, but he feels he's moving in the right direction. And have you ready for 2026.

You can't have a mild oblique strain with four games left to go of the season and expect them to play. Seriously? Come on. Yeah, it's your top two hitters at the out of the line. That's real. We're talking about the lineup and how nobody's coming through and all that stuff. We also have to remember, Yoron is one of the most dangerous hitters on the planet, and Jeremy Payne has been your best hitter for the balance of the season, basically.

He's the only guy that's been above 800 OPS almost since the jump. Yeah, well, right. Along with Isak Paradis, who is playing, but is on one leg. So how are we feeling? If there was a betting window into your office, where would you bet this game? I would... Let's see. Astros are actually favored in this, Matt.

Oh, that makes you feel better. Yeah, because J.T. Ginn's going to lit up minus 115 for the Stroes, minus 105 for the athletics. J.T. Gett. J.T. Ginn. J.D. Ginn. One more quick news. item, Matt.

I know it's not the news and noon anymore, but congratulations to Sean Alexander, former Alabama and Seahawks running back. He and his wife are welcoming their 14th child. 1-4? 14. Philip Rivers says,

come on, man, that's weak sauce. You've got to get those numbers up. Those are rookie numbers in this racket. And they are lovingly and married and have been for a long period of time. He and his wife, Valerie. 14th child. somebody says this man can't stop finding the end zone okay I'm going to take we don't usually have

pregnant pauses on the show but here's what we're going to do we're all thinking of really nasty terrible crude things to say about oh wait Philly Rivers has only got 10 never mind Sean Alexander's running laps around this man

okay here's what we're doing real quick if you're thinking about something you want to say about Sean Alexander having 14 kids. I want you to keep it to yourself. I do not want you to call the show, but I'm going to give you five seconds. We'll have the ambient noise of us being here, Big City Wings and Tuckerton to let this go.

But for five seconds, I want you to think about what you would call the show and say about Sean Alexander having 14 children. And the five seconds begins now. Okay. Damn, dude. Hey, you can host a 7-on-7 game.

NBA roster. I thought it was the 12th man in Seattle. Not the 14th. 14 kids. Let's see the comments of this tweet. Sean doesn't pull out, but my couch does. That's... I mean...

And Mrs. Alexander endorsed this 14 times? I mean, bro, leave her alone. I thought we were supposed to comment on these things. I was interviewing a University Houston player yesterday for the coaches show he's one of 11 but he didn't know if it was 11 if he's got 10 siblings or 11 he'd forgotten it's good for NFL players to find hobbies after retirement I mean can't she be like in physical pain

I mean that's a lot of berthin I mean that's just that's just I mean come on his Twitter bio says disciple maker quite literally He's spreading the news He's spreading a lot of things Somebody said stop to count You're gonna need a bigger boat

What are the ages? Do you know what the age are? I have no idea I can go try and look Woof Now he can afford it clearly But 14 I put him to work 14

Don't you don't you like run out of names Heaven, Trinity, Eden, Joseph Oh no That's all the 12 oh you don't even know do you this says 12

3rd 1 unfortunately one died very early in age sorry to hear that that's horrible uh yeah they've been married since 2002 and they're expecting their 14th child he's 48 years old by the way wow so he's still firing the bullets

yeah that's that's live ammunition mad No need to go to see your buddies at Center Genics. I can tell you that for damn sure. Terry on 790. Hello, Terry. What up? Terry?

Yeah. Yeah, go ahead, Terry. Go ahead, Terry. Yeah, the Astros. Yes, they're a Major League baseball team. They reside in Houston, Texas. Well, I got news. the guardians have five two years players starting

and they're still hammering the tigers so go Astros get into wildcard room thank you Terry appreciate it I hope you have a great evening Terry I'll let you talk I think he's settling in for his mid-afternoon nap I mean it's all good we appreciate you making the call Terry

if you got on your phone you dialed the digits and you held patiently If I didn't host this show, I'd be taking a nap right now. I want to take a nap right now. I was on until 1 a.m. in the morning. I'm sleepy. I slept with you last night. Then I had to get all the way.

I had you nibbling in my ear. Don't say that, please. You were whispering sweet Astros takes at me. I'm going to throw up. Oh, my God. Seriously, my wife is like, what are you listening to? I'm like, I said, Ross. And she said, what?

The 10th inning show. Sports Talks up. Who's got it today? Oh, is it Adam? Don't care. Don't know. It's not us. I don't think it's us.

Well, I mean, are they, I don't know. Well, Wax is going to port to the Oregon State game. Are they even going to bother doing it? Well, somebody's got to do it. Amy. I don't think it's me either. I don't think it is. My name's Paul.

This is between y'all. I'm going to be. I mean, we would hate for Clinton to put in a 45-minute day. God, you know, that'd be the worst thing ever. We know he needs his beauty rest. He's probably napping right now as we speak. All right. rotten five in 20 minutes.

It takes absolutely no ability to tell you. It's a what now? 20 minutes from now be your rotten five. Woo! It's going to be so good. Will the Texans be in the rotten five? That's the question mark. 713-212-5-7-0.

7-13-212-5-7-9. We come to you today from our good friends at Big City Wings. We're in Tuckerton in Uptown Cyprus in the 20,000 block. By the way, Titus Howard back at practice today for the Texans. Oh, thank God. For the 32nd best offensive line in the National Football League.

You don't want them to get worse. I mean, are there CFL teams that have a better offensive line? That's what I want to know. 7-13-1-2-5-7-9. Oh, man, we have a great audience here. We're just blank talking each other during the break. Oh, everybody's drinking 34-ounce beers

except me and you, sports RV. You can't go to the dentist with 34-ounce beer, and I can't drive home. Yeah, I don't have a beer breath. I know. they're already mad at me getting on me about flossing and whatnot I know like you don't floss

I'm like yeah I do and they go no you don't I thought you didn't I've been doing it every day for like that's really smart you do better job than me they're they're scaring me straight like your teeth are going to start falling out of they start calling you Mr. Chicklets that's going to be an issue there

713 21257 out of we are at the big city wings where it's buy one get one free at all four 14 locations. If you can't come out and see us, well, we're a little offended, but generally speaking, you can get to buy one, get one free at all the locations. And I'm telling you, these things are tremendous. Sossed and tossed the way that you want them. I'll go with a firehouse lemon

pepper, man. That's my favorite. With some blue cheese. I'm going to go with the dry rub spicy ranch. So you like, you prefer a dry rub? Yes. Okay. I mean, I'll take it wet, too. Either way's good. I prefer it wet. All right. On the phones we go, we got the Rotten 5 coming up in about 15 minutes from now. Let's talk to Chris in Midtown on 790. Chris, thank you for holding, and good afternoon to you. Good afternoon, gentlemen. I would like to address the A.J. Hinch, sick of fans here in the city.

Let's remind everybody in 2019, he had a Sall Young Award winner in the bullpen, and he put in some bum who was not in the league two years later and tossed us a ring. So let's please give Joe a spot of some credit here. It's not, furthermore, he did just lose a 15-and-a-half game lead in the division, too. So the idolatry toward A.J. Hinch is just unnecessary. And I had one more question, Matt, Thomas, if you don't mind. Well, by the way, I'll be honest with you, Chris. I can love both of them.

I respect Joe spotted tremendously. I respect A.J. Hinch. I'm not trying to pinpoint one of the other. And the Sight Young Award winner was on two days rest, and it was an unclean inning, and Will Harris had been good all playoffs. And it was the seventh inning. Yeah, but where was, where was, Where was Will Harris two years later, though?

He was homeless. You know, Van Botten down by the river? I don't know. It doesn't matter where he was two years later, he had been good old playoffs. Okay. The only argument he could probably have is he probably pitched two. Two days rest. They talk before the game.

They're putting him in a safe situation only, and it wasn't a safe situation. How are we talking about this six years later? You were talking about this 12-25? I was. I heard that call. I heard that call. What else you got, Chris? Two days rest.

Two days rest. If the lesson, I mean, the test. Texans called you, Matt Thomas, and said, we want you to be the voice of our radio broadcast. I'm ready. Let's go. I love calling football games. Thank you very much. You turn to my return up a little bit so I can hear the callers a little bit better.

Sure, why not? Didn't mean to get all technical on this show. You made me turn it down earlier. No, that was local. This is return. Oh, it was return. Okay, my way. Yeah, I would be honored to call the Texans games.

I love calling football games. I would do a great job. I mean, it's fun. I got a catch race for you. Rock and roll. Would you like to tell a little known secret? Your football catchphrase? No, I don't have one.

Oh. I, uh, when the Texans first came around, uh, in 2002, I was the one of the two finalists to be the PA announcer for the Texans games at Energy Stadium. We're at that time reliant. Uh-huh. And, um, when asked why I didn't get the job, they said, well, the flagship station didn't want you to do the games. Because you're with the non-flagship. So the administration at 610 said I could not. They didn't want me doing the game.

So they hired a disc jockey who was working at the time, Jim Carolla, who was a disc jockey or the news guy at FM100. He got the job. So it could have been. I mean, I would have loved to have done it. I'm sorry, Matt. That's fine. They took money out of your pocket, actually.

politics are a part of life. I mean, I wasn't happy, but, I mean, it is what it is. I'm sorry, Matt. So, yeah, I mean, I thought I were doing a great job, but that's okay. We got to get you a football call catchphrase. You got a volleyball call catchphrase? I don't know, but I'm doing U of H versus Texas Tech on Saturday. Spikes it through the earth.

You don't say Spike. And it's down. What did you say, Jonathan? You don't say Spike. You don't like something. Yes. You can spike the ball. But they don't usually say the term.

It's a kill. Oh. Yeah, it's like you saying. Why don't you watch me on Saturday? I'm busy. Catch all the vernacular of me doing the volleyball. Yeah, I'm doing it on CSPN plus. That's because he wanted to use me to go to sleep.

That's not a compliment. I listen to you. I could have had other options. He said you put me to sleep, Ross, and put you on. No, I listen to you at 1229 and at 1248. I listen to you twice. All right, all right. You're welcome.

When is this? Saturday at 1. clock at a SPN Plus. No, I'll be busy. All right. University of Houston versus Texas Tech, I'll be on the call. Oh, great. It was my good friend Shelby Coppich, who you guys see on Texas TV.

Coppidge, good kid. Yeah, we've been friends for a long time. Send Coppich my best. I will. I don't know why I call her Coppidge. I do that to her face. Yeah. Her name is Shelby.

It's just catchy. What up? Coppitch? Catchy? All right. Teach you so. Go work on Rotten Five. Oh, my God. Yeah, bye.

Sal, in Central Florida. Sal, good afternoon to you. Hey, guys. I want to make a few comments, and then I'll hang up and let you guys see what you think. First comment is, I think, the experiment with Altovae and left field is over. The Astros will never sign another first baseman in their 30s.

Jeremy Pena will be shopped around, just like Kyle Tucker was. Anybody who signs Frumber to a big contract, even if he pitches a no-hitter today, needs to have their head examined. And my last comment is that if the Astros need a catcher, Adley Rushman is available because they just signed that rookie catcher to a huge contract. I will hang up and listen, guys.

Thank you. Wow. All right. Thank you, Sal. Well, the reality is this. Any free agent you're signing these days is going to be close to 30 years old to begin with. Because if they are free agents and they start their major league career, at the age of 23, 24, you've got to have six-year service time in order to become a free agent.

So it's very rare that you can sign sub-30-year-old people to play as a for-agent. So that's hard to do. If you were to say, I'm not going to sign any position player 29 or above, you're never going to sign anybody. Now, do the Astros have somebody homegrown in their organization that can play first base? I have not heard. Doesn't mean there isn't somebody there, but if you're going to be in that philosophy, if I'm not going to go pay for a first basement from somewhere else,

then you better well draft it because you're not going to be able to do it unless if you're holding yourself to that. From Bravoldez, his free agent market has, I don't want to use the word plummet, but I'm going to go with that. It has plummeted. I can't imagine him getting any sort of lengthy term deal or high dollar deal. And if they're doing that, this year and a loan, I mean, just a throw.

to Cesar Salazar's chest cost him that one pitch cost him millions of dollars add on top of the fact he's on the other side of 30 add on top of the fact he has pitched a lot of endings in his career he'll get a new deal somewhere somebody's going to take a flyer on him

but it's not going to be in terms of any sort of long-term length i don't think and you can't be thinking about catchers and moving them until you move the one that you've already got. Karatini is a free agent. So you're going to need a backup catcher of some sort. But, man, Karatini kind of fits the mole

because he can play two positions for you, plus he can de-h occasionally. And he's solid, and he's perfect for being that number two catcher. And then ultimately, you can't move any in terms of getting a catcher until you decide what Yonaird has his long-term future is, whether he plays first base down the road for the Astros, or you trade him yourself. All right, before we get to the Rotten Five,

Let's go to Mike and Cyprus at 1244. Mike, good afternoon. Hey, guys. I'm actually heading your way to see you in a little bit here. Nice. Yeah, I want a shirt when I get there, too, by the way. Do we have any shirts left, Rossi? We got 2XL available, so hope you're fat.

I'm coming. So the Alvarez, why don't we ever talk about Alvarez at first base? You and I both know we don't want him in left field, running and smashes against the wall, and he's so tender. Why don't we talk about him at first base? And I agree with the earlier call. I think that he was a staggered. No, Mike, because they don't think he can play the position.

Number two, he doesn't, he's not a butcher in left field. The reasons for Jordan Alvarez's injuries and nothing to do with his defensive work. In fact, when he came back after this long stint, he played a lot of left field. So I would have liked him seen him play first base, but that is a hesitant in the conversation ever, and I don't think it's going to be, he hasn't done a poor job in left field, to my surprise. So if he was having a difficult time tracking the ball, if he was having a difficult time fielding the position

and there were some ballparks that were adversarial to him, then I could see that, but not in this particular case. He is the left fielder. He wants to play left field. He does an adequate enough job, and at this point, his career, he does not want to reinvent himself, and I don't think the asterer's necessarily pushing him in that direction. Mike, thank you for the phone call.

Ladies and gentlemen, it takes absolutely no ability to tell you who the five best teams are in the National Football League. It takes a special someone to tell you who the hot garbage five teams are in the NFL. We'll find out where Ross's Rotten Five is coming up in a matter of moments. They've gone bad if they draw flies. Ooh, it's Ross's Rotten Five. This don't smell quite right. Oh, when you hear this song, do you think of one of the funniest shows in the history of television,

and you think of the Rotten Five. Yeah, because we take out the trash in the Rotten Five, man. And they were at a junkyard, right, in that show? Yes, they were. Okay. Yeah, it's going to give you some Sanford and Sun trivia, but that will do you no good, right? I watched a few episodes.

I thought it was funny. I liked him. Oh, my God. It's so ridiculously funny. A little before my time. Yeah. Anne Esther, one of the greatest television characters in the... history of television.

Esther was my grandmother's name. My mother's mother. Nice. A little anecdotal thing. May she rest. May she rest. All right. Time now for the Rattan 5.

All right. Welcome back to another Rotten 5. And we're welcoming back a long-term staple of this list. We're talking about the New York football Jets. Here they are back in the Rotten 5 after an 0-and-3 starts of the season. You know this hurts my heart, Matt, with Eric Glenn being a Nimitz Cougar graduate. But we have to put him here. He had the big viral moment.

celebrating the special team's touchdown by the squad, but then they gave up the lead, and they lost the game to fall to 0 and 3. Justin Fields may be coming back from injury over to Rod Taylor. They play the Dolphins, so maybe things are going to improve quickly for the Jets, but as of right now, they're the fifth worst team in the NFL. Oh, no, it's bad. It's real bad.

All right, let's keep it in New York. The Giants off to a horrible start this season. Offense, very inconsistent. How about point totals of six, then 37, then nine last week against the Kansas City Chiefs. Coach Brian Dable has seen enough of the Russell Wilson experience. He is calling it a long shot. He has now turned to Jackson Dart to start and has declared he will be the giant starting quarterback for the rest of the season. Defense has actually not been that bad.

They got some playmakers over there. We'll see if Jackson Dart in Camp Scadaboo is going to be the starting running back with Tyrone and Tracy Hurt can vault the Giants into relevancy on offense, but as of right now, they're bad. They're the fourth worst team in the NFL. Runko's Country, let's ride. No, it's Giants Country, and you've been benched, Russ. Come on, man. Giants Country, let's sit.

Giants Country, it's bench time. All right, the Tennessee freaking Titans. I mean, come on. What is going on? They're 0 and 3 on the year. They are 32nd in the NFL in yards per play. They are six and a half point dogs to the winless Houston Texans. That is horrible.

And on top of that, you got Legerius Sneed talking trash about Nico Collins when you're road dogs and you have been a disaster as an 0-and-3 starts of the season. And oh, by the way, Legerius Sneed, pro football focus has you as the 87th cornerback in the NFL at 102. Who? And you're talking trash about one of the best receivers on the planet? What's going on over there? Tennessee Titans. Third worst team in the NFL. Guys, we've got to go get benched.

Okay, wait a minute. There are six teams in the NFL that are winless. Yes. You've not brought up the local team. Correct. You're down to two spots. Now, the question is, do the Texans make the Rotten Five, or are they in one of the worst two? This is what we call radio drama.

friends. The drama builds, folks. Team number two on this list? The New Orleans Saints. Oh, I know what's going to... You are so battle red. It just makes me deal. What do you mean? 44 and 13, they lost the Seahawks. Texas would be favored over the Saints. They are favored by six and a half over the Titans and they would be favored against the Giants and they would be favored against the Giants. And the Jets. What's up? Hulloch, boy. All right? Spencer Radler's bad. The Saints are giving up a defensive touchdown. like crazy. Alvin Cameras

over the hill. They cannot move the ball. They're 28th in yards per play. They keep losing game after game. And we were in Lake Charles Matt with a lot of Saints fans. And did you hear how they felt about the Saints? Turn the TV. They were not happy with what the Saints were doing

because they are horrible. They are the second worst team in the NFL. Believe it, yeah. God's like the head up the Crawfish there. Thank you, Gordy. Although, and they have the bills this week, by the way. The Saints. In Buffalo, by the way, too.

Good news is the Miami Dolphins kept it close versus the bills. They've looked somewhat good, but we've been keeping them at number one on the list. They've been bad. They've been losing. To a Tung of Aloha just looks completely lost. Maybe as unfortunate. I mean, I don't want to make brain scrambling jokes about concussions, but he just looks lost out there. He just looks like he has regressed as a quarterback that was at least solid.

The defense was supposed to be good and supposed to carry the day for the dolphins. They're 29th in yards per play allowed as well. McDaniel very well could be the first coach fired this NFL season if things keep trending the way that they have. They do have some winnable games coming up against the New York Jets and the Carolina Panthers. But as of right now, the Miami

Dolphins are horrible. They are number one, the worst team in the NFL. And that's your rotten five. So the Texans did not make the rotten five. They did not. If they lose the Titans,

they have to make the rotten five. We'll see They're not going to lose I'm putting my name on it You heard me right there I'm putting my name on it Texans beat The Titans

I'm not even writing that down And then get their ass kicked in Baltimore We'll see Cover the spread By the way I was going to save this for on deck in an hour But I'm going to do it right now Do you know where I was today in 1986

Uh Yeah You were Unscoring lightbulk? No wait throwing nachos Throwing jalapinos I did that in 86, but it wasn't this day.

Okay, go ahead. You got pulled out of school. I didn't get out of school this day. Which explains a lot, actually. Yes. I didn't really, I wasn't, yeah, it wasn't a studious person. Mr. Academia. Correct.

I make up words. Fictitional words. I just do. 1986, which would be, what, 14, 39 years ago, in this exact hour, in 1986, I was entering the doors of the 8th. wonder of the world, the Astrodome. I left eighth grade early. I cut school, got in trouble, which is fine. I could live with it.

I went and watched Mike Scott throwing no hitter against the San Francisco Giants. The Astros beat the Giants to nothing to win the National League West this exact day in 1986. Wow. And now, here we are. Fast forwarding now. There are two World Series later.

Lots of playoff appearances. That's true. Actually, three, what, how many of you? One, two, three, four total World Series appearances. Yes, four, one two. That's pretty good, 50-50. I'll take it. One of them's got an asterisk next to it, but that's on here, no there. What I'd like to have had 19?

The best team in Astros history? Okay, we're done. Two, the Astros had two pitchers in 2019, get 300 or more strikeouts. No pitcher has done that since. Derek Cole, Justin Verlanger. In baseball. No pitcher in baseball has done. it since they had two in 2019 and they didn't win the World Series.

How? And then one of them said, I'm not wearing Astros cap. I'm wearing a Scott Boris Cap because I hate y'all, bye, bitches. Oh, my God. Well, he went and took his cash and he's doing okay in New York. Of course, his arms in a sling now, but it's under here and or there. Happens. Well, how many Astrogo?

Well, Justin Verland's arm went in a sling, too? Luis Garcia's arm's been in a sling now for two plus years. I feel so bad for the guy. We'll do it during on deck. Oh, two years to come back, and then now he's had, unspecified elbow surgery. Would you like an unfortunate hot take?

Go ahead. He's going to retire. Never going to pitch again. Maybe. I don't know. I'm not a doctor. That's sad. I feel bad for him. Guy worked his ass. Guys have had multiple Tommy John and pitched. Yeah, but also guys don't miss two and a half years to come back and pitch either. Yeah. It's concerning to say the least.

All right. We've got another hour to go. This show is moving so fast. got these fries are sitting here going Please eat me I don't think fries can talk to you But if they were they were to say please eat me We're at Big City Wings in Cyprus

Players to have had multiple Tommy Johns include Nathan Avaldi Okay Jamison Tyon Yes Yoakim Asoria Jacob de Grom And well then there's a lot of guys that didn't work out for

No I just If we ever see Luis Garcia again I would not say a miracle, but it would be a major, major surprise. All right, 713-212-579. We have a half hour left to go, so we're going to take calls the rest of the way. If you want to just bitch and moan about your local 9, we're here for you. If you want to cuss and discuss the Texans, 7-1-3-1-2-5-7-9.

If you want to ask Rawlsons break down in the A&M versus Auburn game coming up this Saturday. Take the Aggies and the points. All right, six and a half. Still stays firm there at six and a half. You want to break down the U.S. of h versus oregon state game i'll be happy to do that for you as well 713 212 5 790 this is the matt thomas show with ross final half hour of our show before we going to astros on deck mode at 130 it is matt and ross we come to you today from our friends

at big city wings and they have been friends you know they've been with me this show's been on almost 16 years i think big city's been with me 14 of it 15 of it somewhere in there big, big time sponsor. 14 locations. We're out here in the Cypress location, but if you don't live out here, work and you're here, go to one today and get to buy one, get one free.

You got the daytime baseball game going on. Get a little early lunch in. And you know what? Drinking to Astros' futility sometimes has to happen. And you're going to bounce back today, Maddie. All right, so I was never Mr. 6 and 0. I was always consistent Mr. 5 and 1. Okay.

That's off the table. Can I live my life as Mr. Four and Two? Well, we'll find out after today. Why are we... We're not surprised. We're just not. We can't be. We can't look at this...

We can't look at the data and say they're underperforming. I will... Well, I mean, somehow. Yeah, I would say disappointed for sure. Super surprised, no. that they seem to be running out of gas and can't string together. I thought it was

enlightening because I forgot about it really when Brian McTaggart, who will have the conversation shortly, brought up Altovae getting treatment on his foot. I'd forgotten about his foot being sore. You know why? Because he doesn't make a big deal out of it. No, he just plays through pain.

And I appreciate that. So let's just run through it. I mean, Yoron out, Pena out, Pena out, Paredes on one leg, Altuve on one foot. Cray's been decent but not gangbusters. And then it's just been a whole lot of nothing. Walker, meh, yiner,

he's even out of the lineup today. Jake Myers hasn't been great. His average has been dive bombing since he's come back. Zach Cole's got a week at the majors. And then it's like Marisa Dubon and company. You've had to rely on Taylor Trammell. He's in the lineup today. Your season's on the line and Taylor...

Okay. Do the lineup again. Now, let's do the sound effects of sports RV. It's always a pipe-in-bit on the show. With your season on the line, folks. Here we go. I'll do it. I'll do it with you.

One-footed Jose Al-Tuvei. One leg at Issaq Paredes. Carl's Correa. You and are consistent. Victor Caratini. All right. But he's not a clean-up. He's a clean-up.

He's a clean-up spot. Is it a seven-hole enter? Yeah. Four-hole? Christian Walker. Oh, gosh. Jesus Sanchez Oh

Seriously why was I so pissed last night I seriously did not want to watch the game anymore He I mean mangled Butchered sliced and died It was like he was literally

He was drinking a 12-pack During the game Oh there's a ball heading my way I think I'll butt boom I think often in baseball When you're in the thick of a season you can't keep the same perspective that you will in a year. This is anything, really, not even in baseball.

But I think I want to set a reminder, Matt, for us to look at this lineup one year from today and ask ourselves if we're really surprised the Astros weren't able to get it done. No, because we're going... This is not a back-again-this is Tuesday in July. It's a Wednesday getaway in July. This is not backs against the wall.

season on the line lineup. And it's not Joe's spot his fault. Ross, we reflect on everything on our life after time heals the pain. For instance, why does my, why did that girl leave me back in the day? Right. It was because I, I ghosted her on the phone. I didn't, I canceled a bunch of dates. Oh, that whore did that to me.

I hate her. And you think about six months later, yeah, I made mistakes. Yeah. This is, we're going to look at this a year from now, hopefully another big sitting wing location, perhaps one maybe Markey. And hopefully talking about the Asher. was clenching the West. Correct.

And we're going to say, were we silly enough to think that Taylor Tremel was going to help make this run? Not that Taylor's on a great guy, but it is what it is. It's the zipper. That having Victor Caratini batting cleanup was going to make the difference

for this team making the playoffs. Caratini Walker, Sanchez, Cole, Tramel, Du Bond. Woo! Let's go, Fromber. Frober on the hill. Oh, by way, Frommber is the all-timer. Farmer, you're supposed to be in a contract you.

You're supposed to have the stones to say, you know what? I cannot wait to make serious cash in the free agent market. Instead, every time he takes the amount, he costs himself millions of dollars. Yeah, we've kind of had to separate injuries versus disappointments. And he's not mentally tough under any circumstance. Different? Yeah. He has been, I mean, do you say the biggest disappointment this season?

No, yeah, because Walker was never going to be, hold on, Walker was never going to be an 850 OPS guy, he just wasn't. He's been around 838 plus the last couple years. I was expecting 35 bombs of Christian Walker this year. I was expecting close to 100 RBIs. Last year he had an 803 the year before 830. honestly three years 60 million for a guy that did as much damage as you did in Phoenix you're thinking okay he is going to crush the short porch in left field is going to be his best friend rossi we said that over and over again

he is going to he rakes at dyken when he was a diamond bag he's going to rake when 81 of his games are in hughes and oh by the way he plays gold glove first base uh baseball references war has him as a negative player of point three for Christian Walker. I did not have that. He's played 151 games. But by far, Yorda, I mean, by far, Fromber's implosion is the biggest disappointment this year. Because he was so good for two months. And ever since that defensive situation where he went after his guys for not playing the ball right in Reinfield, he has, he's turned to mush by war. Your three best players this year have been Jeremy Payne, Hunter Brown,

Framber Valdez. Stats don't tell us everything. Esac parades. Well, you're using Framber's numbers of the first 15 starts of the season. Yeah, he was so great. You could have weathered this storm if you had other guys. The problem is

the Astros have needed him. If he was scuffling and going out there and having bad starts, you could take it if Arrigetti was out there dealing. If you had Ronell Blanco out there having a resurgence after his resurgent year last year, if you had Hayden Wes Neski pitching well, you could

weather all these storms. But this is a guy who's supposed to be eating up innings and being one of your best pitchers and everybody's down. And when everybody goes down, you need people to step up and you need it from him step up huge and he didn't do it. Yeah.

Sometimes you have to cover up the warts of an offense that has been very much. I mean, how many times have been shut out in the last two months it feels like? Incredible amounts. No, Kare is playing. I read Kray in the lineup, didn't I? Yeah, who says it?

Somebody was tweeting us. Oh, somebody's asking for the lineup last year on this day. That's actually interesting. I can try to do that. We'll do that one come back. We'll give you that lineup one year ago today. You know what? It might be painful to look at the lineup one year ago today.

You know, I honestly don't know what to expect. Because they'd clinched by one year ago today, right? They clinched yesterday, I think, on the 24th. So maybe we'll go to the clinching, the clinching lineup. Just do a, give or take over the day or two of a year ago. We'll do that coming back. We'll talk to you on the phone as well. segment if you want to chime in and say hello and give us your don't look at don't don't don't don't

don't you're just going to make us mad 713 212 5790 713 212 5790 we're at big city wings tuckerton location in uptown cypress 14 locations all today have buy one get one free in the wings and drink specials the 3 dollar mickle of ultras currently in play and flowing right now at big city wing all right final segment before we get into astros on deck move and no, Ross is walking. We've got, we got cat calls for you open,

waking, the server. All right, sure, why not. Have you ever woken on when I've been here? Oh, here's the thing. No. If the Astros win tonight. No, no, that's fine.

You do it? You don't want to do it? No. It's your bit. I'll let you do it. It's your world famous bit that I came up with. What's the history behind it again?

You never told me. You guys never told me. So, Matt, you would always. say what's happening lunch timers when we open the show at noon. Then we moved to 11, and he would still say what's happening lunch timers. Then we moved, they add the Jay Moore show, so we moved to 2 to 4 p.m. only. And he was like, well, I can't say good, what's happening lunchtimers. So he would say on various days, what's happening late lunchers, what's happening snack timers,

what's happening nap timers? And then he was like, I need something else to say. And I was like, how about what good morning strippers? because there's 2 p.m. And so he did that, and he would just say it. And then how did it... I don't remember how it evolved to you screaming it. Yeah, you definitely get credit for the Good Morning Strippers.

I just one day opened the show with it. I don't know why they did it. I think we were at a big city wings. I think maybe when you did it. And I don't know why. Actually, no. We were at a competitor. Oh, okay.

And the competitor complained because they thought I was talking about the women that were working. Yeah, that happened too. But that was that the first time? I can't remember. I can't remember how it became he started yelling it. That's what I don't remember. But that's the genesis of the phrase. And then we move back to noon, and the bit stayed as a Friday staple.

Yeah, now we're 10. We've been at 10, 11, 12, 2, and 6 in the morning. Yeah. I'm done with morning. This 10 o'clock is too early for me as it is, but, you know. Yeah. You're preaching to the choir on that one. Bosses asked you do work, you do work.

Yes, sir. Let's go to. Please, sir, can I have another. Yes. The Matt Thomas show with Ross, 9 to 7 here on the Sports Talk. Come here, Coach. Eric, good afternoon. You're on 7 on.

What's on your mind? Hey, what's going on? I just had a question. How many batters, like, in the last few years, have improved? Like, people we've acquired trade or, agency or waivers. It just seems like no one comes to Houston and gets better. Jeremy Payne.

Well, the last few years. No, you asked. I guess he gave you on Jeremy Payne. Is that it? Well, Pradesh is having his best season. Pradis has been pretty good when he got here. It just seems like all the pitchers we get, their career turnarounds and they get better.

Oh, are you kidding me? Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. Eric, you're saying the pitchers do well, but the hitters are not. Is that what you're saying? Yeah, for the most part, yes. Yeah, I mean, I think, I mean, I don't remember a Caleb Orte run down or a Stephen O'Kurt run down. I mean, they have caught lightning in a bottle when it comes to relief pitchers, but every team does that for both the good and the bad.

But, yeah, I mean, they haven't made a lot of acquisitions offensively. Carlos Coray is better than he is than he was with the twins. right now. Yeah, he's better, but that was, I mean, I don't think he went in the room and said, I can't wait to hear what these coaches are saying. I'm going to improve myself. Again, I'm going to tell you this for the one million time. Coaches, hitting coaches, nice to see you guys. Carlos Correa had a 704 OPS in Minnesota, and he had a 7 to 75 OPS this year in Houston. Hitting coaches are largely overrated for both the positive and the next. It's the major leagues. I think most people think of hitting coaches. They're thinking of the dude

telling you how to set up your stance in Little League or High School. That's just, it's, we're talking about major leaguers and we're talking about guys who are, who are vet, especially in this lineup who have been in the major leagues for a long, long time. All right, Eric, thank you for the phone call. Let's go to, uh, Isok Paredes was having a great season. Look, I'm not even going to give credit to the coaches either. We've got to stay consistent.

Esok Paredes was better. Jeremy Payne has worked on his swing and worked with his own private coaches and he's gotten better. I mean, it feels like they're going to be gone. No, I would be I would be astonished if there was no changes. That's my gut feeling right now.

Because, I mean, there... By the way, we have no inside intelligence on this. No, I don't. My trend is, Jim Cran like to shake things up. Again, if we go case by case. He fired the general manager after the World Series. They won the World Series and got the general manager gone, so anything can happen.

But Altovae is in age decline and has a bad foot. Paredes was having a great season. Correy has been better here. Victor Keratini's been getting. I'm just going through today's lineup. Walker certainly has regressed. How much is that as just age regression? I don't think the hitting coaches are telling

to swing under every single high fastball in the zone. He can't hit four seamers. If you can't have four seamers, you're going to have a limited success. Real quick, before we get this last call, lineup one year ago today was? Oh, okay. Well, I got rid of it. Hold on.

Jesus is my fault. All right, we'll take a call then. We'll do that. Stunner, real quick, before we get to our lineup of last year. Stunner, what do you got? Hey, what's going on, y'all? Well, man, we all have to I have some people still when they get on first base, man.

We can't let them sit there. Like, I've got to be on first base. Hey, somebody got to try to get the second and cut this double play out. It's just, oh, man, mind-blowing that we cannot get the third base the whole game. And then one other thing, Matt, hey, we might have a theme song for this

The rest of the four games. Is this the end by New Edition? Oh, a little new edition song? I like that a lot. I'm pro new edition, you? You like New Edition? Yeah. Sure, why not? Oh, yeah.

What's your three favorite new edition songs? Baby, I'm here. Sometimes tell me something sweeter. And pineapple cocktail. I knew that. No. The answer is Mr. Telephone, man.

There you go. Thank you very much. A lot up from a year ago. I'll use the September 22nd because Yoran Alvarez, if you remember, went down with an E-issue right after that. Yeah, yeah. Al-Tuvrez. Yes. Alvarez.

Yes. Kyle, yes. Alex Bregman. Sure. Yiner Diaz. Okay. Caratini. Yep.

Jeremy Pena. Jeremy Pena is batting seventh for last year's team. Okay. Jason Hayward. Jake Myers. Sneaky snake. in the 9 spot that's that's much better than what you're trotting out right now

yeah the OPS plus in that game for those guys significantly higher than the OPS plus of this all right let's uh we're going to Astros on deck mode sports RV we me you get to pack out I can hang out you do what you want tell what you want tell what you need

I'm going to need it to go order Big City that's what you all need to go get some big city to go go home watch the game make sweet love to your girl watch the Astros The middle of the game? Don't knock it to you, try it. Astros on deck is next on Sports Talk 7 outing.