Episodes

  • Guardians Tie Astros Series, Charles Barkley Sounds Off On Media, Deion Social Media Beef

    Guardians Tie Astros Series, Charles Barkley Sounds Off On Media, Deion Social Media Beef
    May 2 2024
    Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show discuss the Astros losing 3-2 against the Cleveland Guardians on Wednesday. Brian McTaggart, Astros beat reporter for MLB.com, joins to recap the Guardians tying the three-game series with the Astros in back-to-back extra-inning games at Minute Maid Park. Astros outfielder Joey Loperfido also joins to detail how he got called-up and review his first two Major League starts. Matt and Ross talk about Charles Barkley's comments on the NBA media, react to Deion Sanders arguing with former players on social media, say "I Just Don't Get It" and more.
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    2 hrs and 9 mins
  • Astros Joey Loperfido Talks Experience At First Base, Getting Called-Up

    Astros Joey Loperfido Talks Experience At First Base, Getting Called-Up
    May 2 2024
    Astros outfielder Joey Loperfido joins The Matt Thomas Show ahead of the series tiebreaker against the Cleveland Guardians on Thursday at Minute Maid Park. After first baseman Jose Abreu was optioned to extended spring training, the Astros officially called-up Loperfido, who was leading the Minor Leagues in home runs with 13. "It kind of caught me off guard" getting called-up, but "it was awesome to share that moment with the guys" of the Sugar Land Space Cowboys. Loperfido made his debut Tuesday against the Guardians, going 1-5 with two RBI and two strikeouts. Loperfido has been in the outfield in his two games with the Astros, but earned some experience at first base in Sugar Land. "Duke was my only offer," and playing first base "was the only way to get into the lineup" as a freshman. When asked if he anticipates playing at first base with the Astros, Loperfido says "I'm going to play wherever the team wants me to play." Loperfido also reveals his real first name, which stadium he looks forward to playing at the most and more.
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    11 mins
  • Brian McTaggart Says Verlander Took 'A Good Step' In 3rd Start Despite Loss

    Brian McTaggart Says Verlander Took 'A Good Step' In 3rd Start Despite Loss
    May 2 2024
    Brian McTaggart, Astros beat reporter for MLB.com, joins The Matt Thomas Show to discuss the Astros losing 3-2 against the Cleveland Guardians on Wednesday. The Guardians even the three-game series with the Astros in back-to-back extra-inning games at Minute Maid Park. Ace Justin Verlander had a good outing for his third start of the season, pitching a season-high seven innings. "I think Justin just wants to pitch as deep as he can," McTaggart said. Prior to Tuesday's game, the Astros announced that first baseman Jose Abreu accepted an option to the spring training facility in West Palm Beach, Florida. Abreu is attempting to "save his Astros career" and "it's going to be a grind," but he deserves respect because "most players of his stature would say 'No thanks.'" With Abreu undergoing extended spring training, McTaggart says the Astros are "pretty well covered" at first base with Jon Singleton, Trey Cabbage, Mauricio Dubon, Yainer Diaz and Joey Loperfido.
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    10 mins
  • UH Cougars To Defy NFL Legal Threats Over Uniform, Are the Astros Back?

    UH Cougars To Defy NFL Legal Threats Over Uniform, Are the Astros Back?
    May 1 2024
    Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show recap the Houston Astros earning their third straight victory with a 10-9 win over the Cleveland Guardians off a two-run walk-off home run from Victor Caratini in the 10th inning. Hunter Brown started on the mound, striking out seven but allowing six runs on five hits and two walks in just over five innings of work. The Astros battled on the plate, with Joey Loperfido recording a two-run single in his MLB debut, and Alex Bregman and Jon Singleton both hitting three-run home runs for their first homers of the season. Justin Verlander will start on the mound Wednesday for the second of the three-game series against the Guardians at Minute Maid Park. Prior to Tuesday's victory, the Astros announced they would be sending Jose Abreu to Florida for extended spring training. The former AL MVP started the season with a .099 batting average and agreed with the decision to be optioned. Matt and Ross also break down the University of Houston's decision to move forward with an alternate blue uniform despite receiving a cease-and-desist order from the NFL last fall, attempt to understand the diss track battle between hip-hop artists Drake and Kendrick Lamar, tell people to "Shut Yo Bum Ass Up, Ain't Nobody Got Time" and more.
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    2 hrs and 8 mins
  • Loperfido Joins Astros, Grae Kessinger Placed On IL, Texans Draft Grade

    Loperfido Joins Astros, Grae Kessinger Placed On IL, Texans Draft Grade
    Apr 30 2024
    Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show preview the Houston Astros hosting the Cleveland Guardians for a three-game series starting Tuesday. Manager Joe Espada joins to discuss the Astros calling up prospect Joey Loperfido to start in the outfield. Loperfido, who has also been working at first base, had strong offensive production, recording his 13th home run of the season for the Sugar Land Space Cowboys on Sunday. With Loperfido joining the Major League roster, the Astros have placed Grae Kessinger on the 10-day IL with right shoulder discomfort, and Joel Kuhnel was designated for assignment. Matt and Ross also further review the Texans draft prospects, briefly address the NBA playoffs, give their latest "Gut Feelings" and more.
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    2 hrs and 11 mins
  • Astros Manager Joe Espada Confirms Joey Loperfido Is Starting In Outfield

    Astros Manager Joe Espada Confirms Joey Loperfido Is Starting In Outfield
    Apr 30 2024
    Manager Joe Espada joins The Matt Thomas Show ahead of the Houston Astros hosting the Cleveland Guardians for a three-game series starting Tuesday. Following a day off and back-to-back wins against the Colorado Rockies in Mexico City, the Astros are returning home looking to earn a series win and begin moving out of the last spot in the American League West. "We wanted to use Mexico as a little reset button" and the message to the team is "let's not be complacent." After the pair of wins in Mexico City, news broke that the Astros would be calling-up prospect Joey Loperfido who recorded his 13th homerun of the season for the Sugar Land Space Cowboys on Sunday. "We didn't bring [Loperfido] up here to sit...he'll start tonight in the outfield," Espada said. "He needs to do the things that got him here." As Loperfido joins the Astros, a corresponding roster change needs to be made for his Major League debut; however, Espada could not specify which player would be moved. Espada also discusses the possibilities at the DH position when Yordan Álvarez plays in left field, Alex Bregman batting second in the lineup and Hunter Brown getting "over the hump."
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    14 mins
  • Astros Win In Mexico, Loperfido Called-Up, Charles Barkley Rips Galveston

    Astros Win In Mexico, Loperfido Called-Up, Charles Barkley Rips Galveston
    Apr 29 2024
    Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show recap the Houston Astros winning back-to-back games against the Colorado Rockies in Mexico City. Framber Valdez returned to the mound for the first time since April 2, allowing five hits, no walks and six strikeouts in a 8-2 win Sunday. Following the pair of wins, news broke that the Astros would be calling-up prospect Joey Loperfido who recorded his 13th homerun of the season for the Sugar Land Space Cowboys on Sunday. Loperfido will join the Astros on Tuesday when they host the Cleveland Guardians. Matt and Ross also review the Texans draft picks, react to wide receiver Tank Dell sustaining minor wounds after getting shot in a night club Saturday in Florida, defend Galveston from Charles Barkley's comments, play "To Tell The Truth" and more.
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    2 hrs and 8 mins
  • Texans On The Clock, Astros Lose 5 Straight, 4th Series Sweep This Season

    Texans On The Clock, Astros Lose 5 Straight, 4th Series Sweep This Season
    Apr 26 2024
    Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show recap the Chicago Cubs completing the series sweep over the Houston Astros in a 3-1 final Thursday. Justin Verlander started on the mound and recorded seven strikeouts through four scoreless innings; however, the Cubs scored three runs in the sixth. The Astros have now lost five in a row, dropping to 7-19 on the season, their worst record through 26 games since 1969. Matt and Ross also react to the first round of the NFL Draft, predict who the Texans will draft with their three picks in rounds two and three, tell their Non-Florida Stores and more on this Anything Goes Friday.
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    2 hrs and 5 mins