Matt Thomas of SportsTalk 790 in Houston on Astros vs M’s Series

·11 min·1 clip

After their station caught fire, Softy and Dick bring on Matt Thomas to explain why the Astros are on a five-game losing streak.

The episode begins with the hosts, Softy and Dick, explaining that their radio station caught fire, canceling their first hour. They introduce Matt Thomas from SportsTalk 790 in Houston as a guest to discuss the Astros-Mariners series. Thomas outlines the Astros' rocky start to the season, including two home losses to the Angels and a recent five-game losing streak. He attributes struggles to significant injuries, listing Hunter Brown, Christian Javier, Jake Myers, and closer Josh Hader as key absences. The conversation turns to pitching, with Thomas describing rookie Tatsuya Imai, a 28-year-old Japanese pitcher signed via Scott Boras, who throws a deceptive backward slider. Hosts inquire about the Astros' aging lineup, noting Jose Altuve is 36 and Yordan Alvarez has injury concerns. Thomas acknowledges Altuve's decline but highlights Jeremy Peña and Isak Paredes as important pieces. When asked about rivalry with the Mariners, Thomas says it's not yet intense, emphasizing the Rangers as the primary rival due to geographical proximity and fan dynamics. He mocks the Rangers' World Series parade in Arlington and their City Connect uniforms. The episode concludes with banter about Thomas's dual role as a Rockets announcer and hopes for future Sonics games. Throughout, the tone is casual and humorous, with interjections about station fire and clichés.

As heard by us

A troubled Astros rotation gets a grounded look at one new arm and his unusual slider.

This PlayNext review keeps the Astros' rotation problem at ground level by following one pitcher's uneven first stretch: a rough debut, a steadier turn against the A's, and the larger pressure around a staff described as a hot mess.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

You want the Astros rotation sized up through one shaky first start and a slider that does strange things.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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