The A-Team w/ Wexler & Clanton · SportsTalk 790 (KBME-AM)

Brian McTaggart on Astros’ Surge and What to Expect vs. the A’s

April 4, 2026·12 min·1 clip

Nobody saw Lance McCullers Jr. striking out nine over seven innings in his stunning comeback start.

This episode features Brian McTaggart, a reporter for MLB.com, joining the hosts to analyze the Houston Astros' early-season performance and their upcoming series against the Oakland Athletics. The conversation focuses on the team's pitching health and offensive adjustments after an injury-plagued previous season. McTaggart provides specific insights on several key Astros players and their current form. The discussion begins with pitcher Christian Javier, who is returning from a long absence and saw his velocity drop in his first 2026 start. Rookie pitcher Emai's major league debut involved nervousness and control issues, leading to an early exit against an A's lineup featuring Nick Kurtz and Langoliers. Lance McCullers Jr. delivered a surprisingly strong seven-inning, nine-strikeout performance after a normal, healthy offseason for the first time in years. The hosts and McTaggart agree that if Jordan Alvarez had played more than 48 games last season, the Astros would have won the division instead of missing the playoffs by one game. Alvarez looks dominant early, with McTaggart noting he is swinging like an MVP candidate and has already hit balls to unique parts of the stadium, including the roof. Jose Altuve is benefiting from the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) system, walking more and challenging calls on pitches just off the plate due to his smaller, computer-measured strike zone. The team-wide offensive philosophy under new coaches emphasizes patience, working counts, and drawing walks, a stark contrast to their high-strikeout approach last year. McTaggart predicts the Astros could go 6-4 on their upcoming ten-game road trip through Sacramento, Colorado, and Seattle. A memorable insight is that Altuve recorded zero RBIs during the entire 2022 World Series championship playoff run. McCullers Jr. intentionally changed his pitching style to prioritize early contact over strikeouts, yet still struck out nine in his first start. The ball Alvarez hit off the stadium roof was so deep that the right fielder had already retreated to the fence expecting a home run. McTaggart believes that if Altuve gets sufficient postseason at-bats, he will break Manny Ramirez's all-time playoff home run record, as he is only two behind. The tone is conversational and insider-focused, driven by a reporter's deep knowledge of the team's roster and recent history. The style is analytical but informal, blending statistical observations with anecdotes about player adjustments and health. This episode is ideal for Houston Astros fans seeking a detailed, early-season roster breakdown and analysis of the team's new approach. Listeners with no interest in baseball or the American League West would likely find the hyper-specific player evaluations less engaging.

As heard by us

Astros talk on Christian Javier, Yordan Alvarez, and the road trip ahead.

Brian McTaggart's Astros discussion stays grounded in Christian Javier before widening to Yordan Alvarez and what Houston looks like with him back in the lineup.

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Why you'd press play

You want a quick Astros pulse check before the first pitch tonight, not a glossy preview.

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