MLB.com/Astros.com's Brian McTaggart joins Ross Villareal on Astros On-Deck, Presented by Xfinity. In his weekly visit on the show, McTaggart talks- Astros approach to this series, Yordan Alvarez/Chas McCormick injury updates and Astros Postseason pitching rotation.Av SportsTalk 790 (KBME-AM)

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of "The Matt Thomas Show with Ross" go live from Big City Wings to preview the Houston Astros regular season finale against the Cleveland Guardians starting Friday. After the three-game series, the Astros will be in the best-of-three AL Wild Card Series, beginning Tuesday at Minute Maid Park. Matt and Ross also previ…

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of "The Matt Thomas Show with Ross" react to Alex Bregman receiving an ovation from the fans at Minute Maid Park in what could be his finale regular-season home game with the Astros. Brian McTaggart, Astros beat reporter for MLB.com, joins to discuss the Astros postseason pitching rotation starting with the AL Wild C…

University of Houston Cougars football head coach Willie Fritz joins The Matt Thomas Show with Ross following Saturday's 34-0 road loss to the Cincinnati Bearcats. The Cougars offense was held to 233 total yards, turned the ball over three times and committed seven penalties for 68 yards. Houston is the first Power Four team to be shut out this sea…

Brian McTaggart, Astros beat reporter for MLB.com, joins The Matt Thomas Show with Ross to discuss the Astros securing their fourth consecutive American League West title with Tuesday's 4-3 victory over the Seattle Mariners. The Astros are now locked into the AL's No. 3 seed in the Wild Card Series. The final regular-season home game Wednesday afte…

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of "The Matt Thomas Show with Ross" recap the Houston Astros dropping the first of a three-game series to the Seattle Mariners. Manager Joe Espada joins to discuss the Astros being one win over the Mariners away from clinching the AL West title. Former Astros starter Roy Oswalt also joins to discuss the 2005 World Se…

Former MLB starter Roy Oswalt joins "The Matt Thomas Show with Ross" to discuss the Houston Astros being one win over the Seattle Mariners away from clinching their seventh American League West title in the past eight seasons. Oswalt made his Major League debut with Houston in 2001 and helped the Astros reach their first World Series appearance in …

Houston Astros manager Joe Espada joins "The Matt Thomas Show with Ross" following the Astros' 6-1 loss to the Seattle Mariners on Monday. Hunter Brown allowed a run on three hits and three walks while striking out eight over six innings. Jason Heyward scored the Astros only run with a solo home run during the eighth inning. "They threw the ball re…

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show break down the Houston Texans 34-7 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. The Texans defense did not have an answer for Sam Darnold and Justin Jefferson. The Texans had 11 penalties in their first loss of the season, with offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil committing six of those penalties. Quar…

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show recap the Houston Astros defeating the Los Angeles Angels 3-1 on Thursday. Brian McTaggart, Astros beat reporter for MLB.com, joins to discuss Yusei Kikuchi remaining undefeated when starting in an Astros uniform. Matt and Ross also preview the Texans facing the Minnesota Vikings for their Wee…

Brian McTaggart, Astros beat reporter for MLB.com, joins The Matt Thomas Show following Thursday's 3-1 victory over the Los Angeles Angels. Yusei Kikuchi started on the mound, allowing one run on five hits while striking out nine batters in six innings. After acquiring the veteran left-hander prior to the MLB trade deadline, the Astros have been 9-…

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show recap the Houston Astros getting shut out by the San Diego Padres 4-0 on Wednesday. The Astros will host the Los Angeles Angels for a four-game series in an attempt to clinch the AL West title. Matt and Ross react to the Seattle Mariners losing to the New York Yankees in embarrassing fashion, …

University of Houston Cougars football head coach Willie Fritz joins The Matt Thomas Show following a dominant victory over the Rice Owls to reclaim the Bayou Bucket and earn Fritz his first win in Houston. Donovan Smith threw for 142 yards and three touchdowns, and Stacy Sneed rushed for 82 yards and a touchdown in the 33-7 victory on Saturday. "W…

Ian Eagle of CBS, TNT and TBS joins The Matt Thomas Show ahead of his call of the NFL Week 3 matchup between the Houston Texans and the Minnesota Vikings. Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud is coming off a decent performance against the Chicago Bears, recording 260 passing yards and winning 19-13, but only finding the endzone once. However, the Texans …

Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show, alongside Chris Gordy of Next Up and Adam Wexler of The A-Team, react to the wackiest Astros game of the season. The Astros tied the three-game series with the San Diego Padres after Tuesday's 4-3 win in the 10th inning. Hunter Brown started on the mound and allowed two runs on five hits and a walk while str…

Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show recaps the Houston Astros losing 3-1 to the San Diego Padres on Monday. Spencer Arrighetti opened up the three-game series for the Astros, giving up eight hits and two runs while recording his second-highest pitch total this year at 102 pitches. Manager Joe Espada joins to discuss Ben Gamel going to the injur…

Houston Astros outfielder Jason Heyward joins The Matt Thomas Show following Monday's 3-1 defeat against the San Diego Padres. The beginning of the three-game series saw Heyward move to left field after spending multiple starts in right, filling in for the injured Kyle Tucker. "It's a new visual for me," Heyward said. However, the veteran outfielde…

Houston Astros manager Joe Espada joins The Matt Thomas Show following Monday's 3-1 road loss to the San Diego Padres. Spencer Arrighetti opened up the three-game series for the Astros, giving up eight hits and two runs while recording his second-highest pitch total this year at 102 pitches. Arrighetti battled on the mound as the Padres "put the ba…

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show recap the Houston Texans defeating the Chicago Bears 19-13 on Sunday Night Football to become the only 2-0 team at the top of the AFC South. Matt and Ross also celebrate the Astros sweeping the Los Angeles Angels, discuss the Carolina Panthers benching Bryce Young, review the Texas Longhorns r…

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show recap the Houston Astros avoiding a sweep by the Oakland Athletics with Thursday's 6-3 win. Brian McTaggart, Astros beat reporter for MLB.com, joins to discuss Kyle Tucker returning to right field and Joe Espada's upcoming decision concerning the postseason pitching rotation. Matt and Ross pre…

Brian McTaggart, Astros beat reporter for MLB.com, joins The Matt Thomas Show after the Astros avoided the sweep against the Oakland Athletics with Thursday's 6-3 victory. Framber Valdez allowed a run on five hits and a walk while striking out six in just over six innings. "He's keeping his emotions in check," McTaggart said. With Valdez, Yusei Kik…

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show react to the Houston Astros dropping the first of a three-game home series against the Oakland Athletics on Tuesday. The Astros struggled to field bunts and bring home runners in scoring position in the 4-3 loss that went 12 innings. Spencer Arrighetti allowed two runs on seven hits and a walk…

University of Houston Cougars football head coach Willie Fritz joins The Matt Thomas Show following a near upset over the No. 15 Oklahoma Sooners. Quarterback Donovan Smith completed 24 of 28 passes for 260 yards and a touchdown with one interception in Saturday's 16-12 defeat, rebounding well after the 27-7 home opener loss to the UNLV Rebels. "I …

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show preview the Houston Astros hosting the Oakland Athletics for a three-game series starting Tuesday with Spencer Arrighetti on the mound. Astros manager Joe Espada joins to discuss Justin Verlander's recent struggles, and outfielder Chas McCormick talks about his recent spark after struggling at…

Houston Astros outfielder Chas McCormick joins The Matt Thomas Show ahead of a three-game home series against the Oakland Athletics. After struggling with production at the plate, the Astros optioned Chas McCormick to Triple-A Sugar Land. However, McCormick quickly returned to the Major League club on September 2 after Jake Meyers was added to the …

Houston Astros manager Joe Espada joins The Matt Thomas Show ahead of the three-game home series against the Oakland Athletics. Spencer Arrighetti will start on the mound Tuesday in an attempt to bounce back after allowing nine runs on six hits and three walks in the first inning of his last start. Kyle Tucker was activated from the injured list Fr…

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show react to the Houston Texans defeating the Indianapolis Colts 29-27 on the road Sunday to start the season 1-0 against a divisional opponent. Joe Mixon rushed for 159 yards and a touchdown while Stefon Diggs reached the endzone twice for their Texans debut. Matt and Ross also review Justin Verl…

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show recap the Cincinnati Reds completing the sweep over the Houston Astros following Thursday's 1-0 result. Hunter Brown allowed four hits and struck out six over six scoreless innings, but the Astros offense was shut out. Brian McTaggart, Astros beat reporter for MLB.com, joins to discuss Kyle Tu…

Brian McTaggart, Astros beat reporter for MLB.com, joins The Matt Thomas Show after the Cincinnati Reds completed the series sweep over the Astros with Thursday's 1-0 result. Hunter Brown allowed four hits and struck out six over six scoreless innings. However, the Astros offense was unable to bring runners home, giving the Reds nine consecutive wi…

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show react to the Houston Texans signing backup quarterback Davis Mills to a one-year extension worth $5 million, keeping him with the team through the 2025 season. Matt and Ross also talk with Astros manager Joe Espada and pitcher Forrest Whitley as they look to even the three-game series with the…

Houston Astros pitcher Forrest Whitley joins The Matt Thomas Show after getting called up to the Majors as a part of the September roster expansion. Whitley was ranked the No. 1 prospect in the Astros farm system from 2018-21 but was unable to break out due to Tommy John surgery in 2021. When asked about quitting baseball, Whitley replied, "The tho…

University of Houston Cougars football head coach Willie Fritz joins The Matt Thomas Show following Saturday's 27-7 loss against the UNLV Rebels. The home season opener was also Fritz's debut with the Cougars. The Cougars were scoreless at the half, and their only points came in the final minute of the fourth quarter. Although the loss was disappoi…

Houston Astros manager Joe Espada joins The Matt Thomas Show ahead of the second of a three-game road series against the Cincinnati Reds. Justin Verlander started in Monday's 5-3 loss, which snapped the Astros' five-game winning streak. "Physically, he looks fine," Espada said. However, Verlander is still working to get back to full strength after …

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show recap the Cincinnati Reds snapping the Houston Astros five-game winning streak. Justin Verlander allowed five runs on eight hits with four walks in just under five innings during Monday's 5-3 loss. Will Verlander be a starter in the Astros postseason pitching rotation? Matt and Ross also react…

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show discuss Houston Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker, who revealed he sustained a small fracture after fouling a ball off his right shin on June 3. The injury, which has kept Tucker off the field for three months, was originally labeled as a contusion, raising questions about the lengthy recovery pro…

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Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show recap the Houston Astros avoiding the series sweep by shutting out the Philadelphia Phillies 10-0 on Wednesday. Yordan Alvarez smacked three home runs for his third career three-homer game, and Spencer Arrighetti struck out 11 batters and had a no-hitter through seven innings. Brian McTaggart,…

Brian McTaggart, Astros beat reporter for MLB.com, joins The Matt Thomas Show after the Astros avoided the sweep by shutting out the Philadelphia Phillies 10-0 on Wednesday. Yordan Alvarez recorded a two-run homer and two solo shots for his third career three-homer game. Spencer Arrighetti struck out 11 batters and held a no-hitter through seven in…

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show react to the Philadelphia Phillies shutting out the Houston Astros 5-0 on Tuesday, causing the Astros to lose six of their last eight games. Matt and Ross also recap the Texans finalizing their initial 53-man roster cuts, talk with University of Houston Cougars football head coach Willie Fritz…

University of Houston Cougars football head coach Willie Fritz joins The Matt Thomas Show ahead of his debut with the school on Saturday against the UNLV Rebels. Fritz discusses jumping "hot and heavy" into the transfer portal this offseason, having a "relatively healthy" training camp and his expectations for the upcoming season.…

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show recap the Houston Astros dropping the first of a three-game road series to the Philadelphia Phillies following Bryce Harper's walk-off hit in the 10th inning. Manager Joe Espada joins to discuss the balance between resting players during a long stretch and having "all hands on deck" in a tight…

Houston Astros outfielder Ben Gamel joins The Matt Thomas Show following Monday's 3-2 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies. Gamel got his third straight start, batting seventh in the first of a three-game road series. Gamel has been favored against right-handed pitchers and is part of a right field platoon with Chas McCormick and Mauricio Dubon. The A…

Houston Astros manager Joe Espada joins The Matt Thomas Show following Monday's 3-2 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies. The Astros dropped the opening game of the three-game road series after Bryce Harper hit a walk-off RBI single to win in the 10th inning. The Astros offense was unable to generate much production, and the defense committed a handfu…

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show recap the Houston Astros splitting the four-game road series with the Baltimore Orioles following Sunday's 6-3 victory. Yusei Kikuchi allowed three runs on two hits while striking out four over five innings. Ronel Blanco starts on the mound Monday to open up a three-game series at the Philadel…

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show discuss the Houston Astros struggling to find consistency at first base. The position has been an issue all season, with seven different players starting games at first base. Rookie Joey Loperfido, who was traded to Toronto in July, and catcher Victor Caratini have also played the position. Th…

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show go LIVE from Circa Resort and Casino in Las Vegas and recap the Houston Astros shutting out the Baltimore Orioles 6-0 to take the first game in the three-game road series. Spencer Arrighetti threw six scoreless innings, and Ben Gamel, who was claimed off waivers from the Mets on Tuesday, recor…

Eddie Nuñez, the new athletic director at the University of Houston, joins The Matt Thomas Show to discuss arriving in Houston after seven years leading the University of New Mexico's athletic department. Despite success in various programs during their first year in the Big 12, Nuñez is entering the position with challenges ahead, as UH's current …

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show go LIVE from Circa Resort and Casino in Las Vegas to recap the Houston Astros losing the three-game series against the Boston Red Sox following Wednesday's 4-1 defeat. Brian McTaggart, Astros beat reporter for MLB.com, joins to discuss the return of Alex Bregman and Justin Verlander to the lin…

Brian McTaggart, Astros beat reporter for MLB.com, joins The Matt Thomas Show following the Astros losing the three-game series to the Boston Red Sox after Wednesday's 4-1 defeat. Justin Verlander allowed four hits and two runs with six strikeouts in five innings during his first start since June 9. "He looked like typical Verlander," and now the A…

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show react to the Houston Astros defeating the Boston Red Sox 5-4 on Monday, with Yainer Diaz hitting a walk-off home run. Manager Joe Espada joins to discuss how the Astros have won 11 of their last 12 games and are now five games ahead in the AL West. Astros rookie Shay Whitcomb also joins to dis…