The Matt Thomas Show with Ross - Astros Reliever Shawn Dubin Joins The Show After Helping Close Out 3-0 Victory vs Pittsburgh Pirates

Episode Date: June 4, 2025

Astros Reliever Shawn Dubin Joins The Show After Helping Close Out 3-0 Victory vs Pittsburgh Pirates

Ross, that's me, I'm here, Adam Wexler here as well. And also, Sean Dubin is here pitching a stellar seventh inning for the Astros last night in route to a three-nothing win. A lot to get to with Sean. But we'll start off with an easy one. Sean is, is that one of the most beautiful parks in baseball that you've ever pitched in out there, PNC and Pittsburgh? Yeah, for sure. I think it might be one of my favorite parks that I've been to so far. You know, I went to a couple of Steelers games when I was younger, so I always got to see the stadium from outside view, but it didn't do it any justice on the inside.

Are you down with taking us to the other end of the spectrum? What's the worst one you've been to? Probably Oakland? There's a couple that come to mind. Can't call anyone out about it. It is what it is. But yeah, maybe a couple of the AAA park. We'll probably take that as a, yeah, I think the West Sacramento Minor League ballpark that we've yet to play and will be on that. that list. But we don't have to say that. We'll say it for you. Obviously, it's nice to pitch in a beautiful place like that when your team is able to twirl a second consecutive shutout, and you're a part of this, obviously, an even bigger deal. What's life been like out in the bullpen for you this

year with the amount of success that you and so many others have found? Yeah, it's been great. You know, the camaraderie is, you know, through the roofs. Great group of guys, you know, all the way through from the position players and all the way starting pitchers to the bullion. open. Everyone's jealous pretty well, and we're all there to pick each other up whenever we need it. Who's got better hair? Brian King or Josh Hater? Ooh, that's a tough one. I might have to give it to King right now. A hater recently just got a haircut. If he still had that long, or if it was still long like last year, that probably gives him, but he's got that mullet going.

Very good. Would Stephen Okert answer with the same or say, what about me? Yeah, he'd probably say, what about me, honestly. I probably could throw him in the mix, too. I'd probably go King Oaker-Hater. Sean Dubin with us here on a Sports Talk 790. What's it been like for you this season? Obviously, it's been very successful in the early going, had the shoulder injury as well.

Just kind of the story of the season for you, where you are right now and where you started with that right shoulder inflammation slowing you down in spring training. Yeah, you know, it's been a little bit of a roller coaster. Definitely not how I wanted to start the year. But, you know, you just got to roll with the punches, you know, and just show up and, you know, be ready to produce for the team whenever they call your name. But, yeah, just going from the shoulders to stepping on the baseball in Vegas, and then that sent me back like two weeks. So I'm just happy to finally be up here and produce it with the team.

That was stepping on the ball in Vegas. We've had a pitcher get hit in the head during BP, but he protected his head by hurting his thumb and all the other understanding. unfortunate but typical pitching injuries. This does seem not even halfway through the season, like the Astros have seen more than their share of injuries weird or otherwise. Would you agree? Yes, you know, a lot of tough luck around this year. You know, myself, since, you know, just some weird stuff happening,

but we're a resilient bunch and, you know, I think it just only makes stronger, you know, out there in the bullpen with the way the group, obviously, you mentioned the camaraderie out there, specifically to the guys you're spending most of the game out there with, some with a lot more experience, some with similar experience to you. Are there some guys maybe for a similar role that they have with this year's team like yours that you have had a chance to, you know, pick their brain, talk to a lot, or your spend time out in the bullpen that's helped you? A great, guys who have, you know, been around for a while and, you know, had all the experience.

Just being able to pick their brain as much as possible. You know, it's been really cool. and you just try to take little things that they say and apply it to your game and see if it works. But just having that outlet and having that ability to do that with some of the guys you have on the team has been a good blessing. What's that like for you kind of building those relationships,

especially starting a couple of years ago in your major league career, were you a guy that was kind of like, I don't know if I'm going to ask, I don't want to bother anybody or have you've always been somebody that's going to go after everybody and try to pick their brain?

Definitely the first one. A little shy at first, you know, especially younger in the career. You know, you're not trying to step on any toes or, you know, anything like that. But no, yeah, as the years go on, you know, you get a little bit more comfortable. You start to build these relationships with other teammates and stuff. And now, you know, you can ask these guys anything and, you know, vice versa. We're always there for each other. What are some of the things you have been learning, or at least like the last couple of years as well?

and picking people's brain and getting good advice. What's some of the best advice you think you've gotten? I remember a couple that stand out was like two years ago. Ryan Stannock told me not to ride the rollercoaster. It's going to be up and down the whole year and just try to stay as even keeled as you can. I still remember that and I still try to remind myself of that a lot. And then Presley last year always has some good advice. Too much to even really try to pick.

one out but yeah you know like I said like the the veteran leadership guys like Tater ochre guys who got the time you know they've been great at that talking with Sean Dubin here on sports talk 790 Sean is there a difference as you make your major league debut in 23 you obviously pitching in last year and you're back here this year is there a different mindset for you or maybe any pitcher early in their career like in terms of pitching to prove I belong here versus pitching like I know I belong here? At first, yeah, I would say for sure. 23 especially, you know, it's being new to the guys

and that clubhouse environment, you know, outside of spring training. It's a lot, you know, and just being able to relax, you know, and just remind yourself that you are here for a reason, you know. But, yeah, early on, it's definitely, it was definitely tough to get used to, but I'm happy where we're at now. You think your stuff is better this year? Your execution is better. Quite clearly, your results are outstanding.

Yeah, you know, I put a lot of work into the change-up and the curveball this off-season. And those have been two of my better pitches this year. So, you know, I'm happy with the way things are going. Obviously, there's always room for improvement. But, you know, just going to keep building, keep working every day and continuing to try to get better. Such as life as a reliever. You've been very good. and, you know, when there is the occasion,

well, you'll give up a run, you don't want to beat up yourself too much. What is it like for you, like mentally, is trying to stay the course. And like you said, I guess for, like Ryan Stanick said, try to not ride the roller coaster. Yeah, you know, there's going to be up and down. You can have big games and bad games, you know,

obviously the goal is to not let one outweigh the other. But, you know, if you do give up a run, you know, live the fun another day tomorrow, you know, come back on a mission, kind of use it as fuel to make. sure it doesn't happen again. And just a lot of reinforcement has been basically like the common theme this year for me. Pardon me for my childish thoughts here, but it strikes me is that if you and Ryan Stanick and everybody in the bullpen when y'all were together had an off day in a city that had an amusement

park, he would absolutely be first in line and say, let's ride this roller coaster. I think you might be right on that. Yeah, the off days are a good time, you know, and especially when you get to spend it with a group of guys, you know, that's what it's all about. That would be a fun crew to go to an amusement park with for sure. You came out in the seventh inning last night, and for a lot of the season, it's been Brian King. Of course, some Riteys were coming up as well.

Is there any conversations with Joe or anybody about your role, or it's just a situation where, hey, I'm going to go out there, and when my number is called, I'm going to get up and get ready. Yeah, the second part, you know. Obviously, you know, guys have their spots, but basically just any time your name gets called, you've got to be ready. And no matter of the situation, you know, I try to keep the same mindset going in.

and, you know, just keeping the score exactly where it is right there and doing everything I can to help the team one. Okay, so you weren't like me? Okay, I'll get up. Yeah, it was cool because I have a lot of family and friends and down for this week, this series, and then in Cleveland especially. So any opportunity that I get to pitch in front of that, it's pretty awesome. All right.

I'm excited. Yeah, thank you. What's going on back there, Sean? I think I heard, is there a forklift going on? They were driving the golf car. Okay. Don't get run over, man. Watch out back there.

We need you safe and healthy. All right. Well, we need you for the rest of the series as well. Congratulations on your great success this season, Sean. And we hope you keep it up.