WEBVTT 1 00:00:07.799 --> 00:00:12.119 Welcomeboard, Welcome to another Space City Saturday on Sports Talk 2 00:00:12.240 --> 00:00:16.600 seven ninety Dad Matthews Live and local h town breakdown 3 00:00:16.879 --> 00:00:21.559 of the world that matters to you, the Houston sports world. 4 00:00:21.280 --> 00:00:23.000 All these great Houston fans here. 5 00:00:23.199 --> 00:00:27.039 We love you all. So finish up on that to 6 00:00:27.120 --> 00:00:27.640 do list. 7 00:00:28.199 --> 00:00:31.559 Flute up the cooler because you can't drink in talk 8 00:00:31.640 --> 00:00:34.960 sports all day if you don't start now bear me 9 00:00:35.119 --> 00:00:35.439 the eight. 10 00:00:36.000 --> 00:00:38.960 This is Space City Saturday. It's insane. 11 00:00:40.119 --> 00:00:50.719 Here's seven nineties. Dan Matthews, very true. What's going on? Everybody? 12 00:00:51.520 --> 00:00:54.399 You're with you for the next couple of hours. Melvin 13 00:00:54.399 --> 00:00:58.719 Brown behind the glass. Appreciate you all tuning in to 14 00:00:58.799 --> 00:01:01.119 us right here on. You're home of the Astros and 15 00:01:01.159 --> 00:01:03.920 the Rockets. Sports Talk seven to ninety. 16 00:01:04.159 --> 00:01:06.760 As we ought to do here in the first hour 17 00:01:06.879 --> 00:01:11.079 of the show, heavy Astros in this hour, So if 18 00:01:11.079 --> 00:01:13.000 you want to weigh in, do so seven one three 19 00:01:13.079 --> 00:01:15.400 two one two five seven ninety. Once again, that's sebon 20 00:01:15.400 --> 00:01:18.920 one three two one two five seven ninety. As you 21 00:01:18.920 --> 00:01:21.000 have a chance to be able to talk end of 22 00:01:21.040 --> 00:01:24.879 the season and also too as well what's ahead for 23 00:01:25.079 --> 00:01:27.719 the Stros. We will do all of that as we 24 00:01:27.760 --> 00:01:31.480 move along here in the program today Texans. In the 25 00:01:31.560 --> 00:01:35.400 second hour get to a lot of what was said 26 00:01:35.400 --> 00:01:38.599 this week over at NRG Stadium. But not only there, 27 00:01:38.599 --> 00:01:42.599 but also too Not very often do you hear a 28 00:01:42.760 --> 00:01:45.519 loss carried over to the following week and the coach 29 00:01:45.560 --> 00:01:48.879 and the players are asked continuously about it. But that 30 00:01:49.040 --> 00:01:51.680 was the case with Dimiko Ryans and CJ. Stroud and 31 00:01:51.760 --> 00:01:54.799 whoever else was asked about it over there, because well, 32 00:01:54.799 --> 00:01:58.799 that was not a fun performance in Minneapolis last weekend 33 00:01:58.879 --> 00:02:02.200 against the Vikings. So the Texans trying to bounce back 34 00:02:02.239 --> 00:02:05.239 from that, and we will see if they are able 35 00:02:05.359 --> 00:02:09.039 to do that. Also in that second hour bottom of 36 00:02:09.080 --> 00:02:14.280 the hour, Ryan Hacker Green from ten ten XL in Jacksonville, 37 00:02:14.319 --> 00:02:16.719 he joined us on the A team. Some good stuff 38 00:02:17.039 --> 00:02:20.560 said by him on the Jacksonville side of tomorrow's matchup. 39 00:02:20.560 --> 00:02:24.360 We'll get into that, but also too as well, you know, 40 00:02:24.520 --> 00:02:28.159 just how is this Jacksonville team looking coming into this game. 41 00:02:28.520 --> 00:02:32.479 I think Ryan used the term lost with no real direction. 42 00:02:32.680 --> 00:02:36.000 There's some people even wondering if tomorrow does not go well, 43 00:02:36.159 --> 00:02:40.039 does Doug Peterson get shown the door. They're in Jacksonville. 44 00:02:40.080 --> 00:02:43.960 And also this is a team that did extend their 45 00:02:44.080 --> 00:02:48.240 quarterback after last season, So who's to say that the 46 00:02:48.319 --> 00:02:53.319 Texans cannot prolong that those issues for Trevor Lawrence in 47 00:02:53.560 --> 00:02:56.879 the Jacksonville Jags gotta believe they're gonna be emptying the 48 00:02:56.960 --> 00:03:00.560 kitchen sink tomorrow because that is a team badly a win, 49 00:03:01.039 --> 00:03:03.120 and not only are they badly need of a win, 50 00:03:03.199 --> 00:03:06.280 but also to the Texans would like to be able 51 00:03:06.319 --> 00:03:09.120 to put together their best performance of this season, because 52 00:03:09.199 --> 00:03:11.800 again we'll talk about it in the next hour, but 53 00:03:11.960 --> 00:03:15.400 this is a team that could very easily be in 54 00:03:15.439 --> 00:03:20.240 the Jags position right now. That win at Indianapolis, it 55 00:03:20.240 --> 00:03:23.080 could have absolutely gone the other way. The win at 56 00:03:23.080 --> 00:03:26.039 home against the Bears on Sunday Night football, same deal. 57 00:03:26.400 --> 00:03:29.080 The Bears could have very easily won that game over 58 00:03:29.280 --> 00:03:31.759 the Texans. And then last week, of course, we saw 59 00:03:31.759 --> 00:03:34.680 how bad that went. So we will talk about that 60 00:03:34.840 --> 00:03:37.919 a little bit later on in the show. But the 61 00:03:38.000 --> 00:03:41.360 Astros just kind of going beginning of the week until 62 00:03:41.599 --> 00:03:42.680 now Tuesday night. 63 00:03:42.919 --> 00:03:43.879 They got the good one. 64 00:03:44.000 --> 00:03:47.120 They got the win over the Seattle Mariners that closed 65 00:03:47.159 --> 00:03:49.639 the door on the Mariners at least winning the al 66 00:03:49.639 --> 00:03:52.400 Wes their chances of still making the postseason. 67 00:03:52.800 --> 00:03:55.360 We're alive for about a couple of. 68 00:03:55.319 --> 00:03:57.879 More days because they prolonged it the next day with 69 00:03:58.439 --> 00:04:01.759 a just a weird game there for the Astros where 70 00:04:01.800 --> 00:04:05.159 tons of players were resting. That was the hangover lineup 71 00:04:05.280 --> 00:04:07.039 that a lot of people will call it, not saying 72 00:04:07.080 --> 00:04:10.319 that guys had hangovers, but anyway, I mean, you had, 73 00:04:10.560 --> 00:04:14.400 you know, Joe Aspota after the game emphatically saying that 74 00:04:14.439 --> 00:04:18.040 players would be rested going forward. Because also to the Astros, 75 00:04:18.079 --> 00:04:22.560 knew that their playoff fate was already sealed. They were 76 00:04:22.600 --> 00:04:25.120 going to be the third seed, no more, no less 77 00:04:25.240 --> 00:04:27.399 than the third seed. They were locked in to that 78 00:04:27.439 --> 00:04:29.360 spot because they were not going to catch the Yankees, 79 00:04:29.360 --> 00:04:31.160 they were not going to catch the Cleveland Guardians for 80 00:04:31.240 --> 00:04:33.040 either of those top two spots to be able to 81 00:04:33.079 --> 00:04:35.959 skip out on the wild card round. So in that case, 82 00:04:36.120 --> 00:04:39.600 it was, why do we even need to necessarily, you know, 83 00:04:39.680 --> 00:04:43.040 press our guys even further. Let's give jose al Tuova 84 00:04:43.160 --> 00:04:45.519 some rest. Let's give Kyle Tucker some rest. Let's give 85 00:04:45.560 --> 00:04:49.839 Alex Bregman some rest. Let's give you know whom I'm 86 00:04:49.959 --> 00:04:52.600 missing out on here that needs some rest. Last night 87 00:04:52.639 --> 00:04:55.800 we saw Jeremy Pania get some rest. It's almost kind 88 00:04:55.839 --> 00:04:57.600 of one of those when you reach this certain point 89 00:04:57.680 --> 00:05:01.199 of the season that the man is almost like the 90 00:05:01.199 --> 00:05:03.879 principal in the movie The Breakfast Club with jud Hirsh 91 00:05:04.120 --> 00:05:06.279 you know where he's talking back to him. Oh you 92 00:05:06.319 --> 00:05:08.240 want a Saturday, all right, Well you get another one though, 93 00:05:08.360 --> 00:05:10.199 Oh you want one more? Well, guess what you just 94 00:05:10.240 --> 00:05:12.759 bought yourself another one. That's pretty much what managers are 95 00:05:12.800 --> 00:05:15.319 with players with rest days. Hey, you're getting a rest day. 96 00:05:15.319 --> 00:05:16.879 Well I don't want one. Well, guess what you just 97 00:05:16.879 --> 00:05:20.240 got another one. I mean, it's pretty much protecting yourself 98 00:05:20.319 --> 00:05:23.279 from yourself, and that's what I think Joe Aspota is 99 00:05:23.360 --> 00:05:26.560 up against right now. So if I had to suspect today, 100 00:05:26.639 --> 00:05:29.160 I think the lineup will look pretty similar to what 101 00:05:29.199 --> 00:05:30.680 it has most of this season. 102 00:05:30.800 --> 00:05:32.360 Obviously, no Jordan Alvarez. 103 00:05:32.399 --> 00:05:35.439 He's back here in Houston going through some light work 104 00:05:35.639 --> 00:05:39.240 right now. We heard Joe Aspotta telling Brian McTaggert and 105 00:05:39.279 --> 00:05:42.920 the collected media there in Cleveland yesterday that he was 106 00:05:42.920 --> 00:05:46.639 doing some walking on the treadmill. Well, I've got to 107 00:05:46.680 --> 00:05:49.920 agree with Brian McTaggert if that does not translate to 108 00:05:50.360 --> 00:05:52.920 maybe we hear today that he was taking some batting 109 00:05:52.920 --> 00:05:55.959 practice on the field, doing some light running something like that, 110 00:05:56.279 --> 00:05:59.000 and we're not training, you know, we're not getting close 111 00:05:59.040 --> 00:06:01.040 to that point. And I guess Monday will be kind 112 00:06:01.040 --> 00:06:04.160 of a tell tell sign. I believe the Astros will 113 00:06:04.160 --> 00:06:06.759 be doing a workout there on Monday in kind of 114 00:06:06.800 --> 00:06:10.560 a media day with not only them but also too 115 00:06:10.600 --> 00:06:14.240 as well. You know, if the season ended today, you 116 00:06:14.279 --> 00:06:16.560 know that old that we like to do in baseball, 117 00:06:16.600 --> 00:06:19.319 the season ended today, Well, if it ended today, the 118 00:06:19.360 --> 00:06:23.079 Astros would be bringing the Kansas City Royals to town 119 00:06:23.360 --> 00:06:27.560 over the Detroit Tigers. As it currently stands, the Tigers 120 00:06:27.560 --> 00:06:31.319 are now the fifth seed in the American League playoff picture, 121 00:06:31.800 --> 00:06:34.399 as they would be taking on more than likely the 122 00:06:34.600 --> 00:06:37.920 Baltimore Orioles in the first round that wild card round, 123 00:06:38.519 --> 00:06:41.720 and the Astros would get the Kansas City Royals. But 124 00:06:42.079 --> 00:06:45.639 of course we've got today, we've got tomorrow, and the 125 00:06:45.759 --> 00:06:48.680 Royals a little bit of a tougher path to try 126 00:06:48.720 --> 00:06:51.560 to climb their way back into the fifth spot, because 127 00:06:52.399 --> 00:06:55.079 not only are they playing a much better team, but 128 00:06:55.319 --> 00:06:57.319 the White Sox are playing a team that has lost 129 00:06:57.360 --> 00:07:00.079 the most games in the modern era of baseball, in 130 00:07:00.480 --> 00:07:04.680 the Chicago White Sox so the Tigers a little bit 131 00:07:04.680 --> 00:07:06.560 of an easier path to be able to get to 132 00:07:06.600 --> 00:07:10.439 that point, and the Royals are in Atlanta taking on 133 00:07:10.519 --> 00:07:13.279 a Braves team that as of right now has climbed 134 00:07:13.279 --> 00:07:16.279 their way back into the wildcard picture for the National League. 135 00:07:16.879 --> 00:07:19.720 But not only that, they are trying to be able 136 00:07:19.720 --> 00:07:23.279 to stave off both the Mets and the Diamondbacks to 137 00:07:23.439 --> 00:07:26.000 keep them out of the postseason. So you know that 138 00:07:26.319 --> 00:07:30.560 Brian Snickers team is very much trying to win those games. 139 00:07:30.600 --> 00:07:32.639 And the Royals, I think at this point, now that 140 00:07:32.680 --> 00:07:35.600 they are clenched and locked in, it will be pretty 141 00:07:35.600 --> 00:07:39.160 interesting to see how they handled tomorrow and even today 142 00:07:39.439 --> 00:07:42.319 against the Braves. I mean, I think, obviously too you 143 00:07:42.319 --> 00:07:43.920 want to be competitive, you want to be able to 144 00:07:43.920 --> 00:07:46.439 put your best foot forward. But I think at this 145 00:07:46.560 --> 00:07:50.040 point it's probably best to assume that the Astros will 146 00:07:50.079 --> 00:07:52.720 be seeing the Royals, and at least for the last 147 00:07:52.759 --> 00:07:55.439 couple of years, that had not been a good proposition 148 00:07:55.480 --> 00:07:58.920 for the Astros, But at least the last series it 149 00:07:59.079 --> 00:08:01.600 was a lot better than what it had been, as 150 00:08:01.639 --> 00:08:03.800 the Stros were able to take care of Kansas City. 151 00:08:03.920 --> 00:08:06.680 So don't think that's not gonna be on the Royals' 152 00:08:06.720 --> 00:08:10.399 minds as they more than likely come here on Monday 153 00:08:10.639 --> 00:08:14.560 and get ready for those hopefully just two games. Hopefully 154 00:08:14.600 --> 00:08:16.920 the Astros would only need those two games, but again, 155 00:08:17.079 --> 00:08:20.279 Cole Reagan's seth Lugo, it's gonna be tough pitching on 156 00:08:20.319 --> 00:08:22.839 that side, but the Astros have some tough pitching on 157 00:08:23.000 --> 00:08:26.839 their side as well, So the Astros again, I mean 158 00:08:26.879 --> 00:08:29.759 improbable of all runs I think that we've seen for 159 00:08:29.839 --> 00:08:32.399 the Stros. I mean I think even last year, I 160 00:08:32.440 --> 00:08:35.279 think even heading into that final weekend, we were still 161 00:08:35.360 --> 00:08:38.919 kind of thinking, well, I don't see a scenario where 162 00:08:38.919 --> 00:08:41.440 this team misses out on the postseason. And of course 163 00:08:41.519 --> 00:08:43.519 I believe it was that Friday is when they at 164 00:08:43.600 --> 00:08:46.960 least clinch a chance to go the postseason, either as 165 00:08:46.960 --> 00:08:50.120 a wild card or as a division winner. And then 166 00:08:50.639 --> 00:08:53.919 what was it that Sunday when they beat Arizona and 167 00:08:54.159 --> 00:08:56.559 also to the Rangers loss of the Mariners, then they 168 00:08:56.600 --> 00:08:59.320 clinched the AO West, so they were able to get 169 00:08:59.360 --> 00:09:01.279 in that way. So they did it a little bit 170 00:09:01.320 --> 00:09:04.600 earlier this year, but still I think it's kind of 171 00:09:04.639 --> 00:09:07.759 what happened early on in the season that came back 172 00:09:07.799 --> 00:09:11.399 for the Astros this year that would again lead me 173 00:09:11.440 --> 00:09:14.279 to signal that this is one of the more improbable runs. 174 00:09:14.360 --> 00:09:17.320 The seven and nineteen start oh and four to start 175 00:09:17.320 --> 00:09:19.559 the season against the Yankees. They came in here and 176 00:09:19.639 --> 00:09:22.600 absolutely dominated you, and you're just kind of like, man, 177 00:09:22.720 --> 00:09:25.039 that sucks. I mean, you couldn't take one of those four. 178 00:09:25.320 --> 00:09:27.799 I mean, you're still not feeling one hundred percent great 179 00:09:28.159 --> 00:09:30.399 with a one in three start, but at least you're 180 00:09:30.399 --> 00:09:32.799 feeling a lot better than oh to four. Then you 181 00:09:32.840 --> 00:09:35.480 get the Renel Blanco no hitter on that Monday night 182 00:09:35.600 --> 00:09:40.759 against Toronto and the Astros. Then after that, continuing their slide, 183 00:09:40.919 --> 00:09:44.159 going to Kansas City getting swept, just getting absolutely blown out. 184 00:09:44.159 --> 00:09:48.240 Aside from that first game, the series against the Nationals, 185 00:09:48.360 --> 00:09:50.639 not a fun one. Getting swept by the Cubs, getting 186 00:09:50.639 --> 00:09:53.720 swept by the Braves, just not a fun start. 187 00:09:53.840 --> 00:09:56.360 That all boiled to a seven and nineteen start. 188 00:09:56.440 --> 00:09:58.960 Then you get to twelve in twenty four and then 189 00:09:59.000 --> 00:10:01.759 as the season goes along, Kyle Tucker goes down, same 190 00:10:01.840 --> 00:10:05.519 with Justin Berlander, and still this team found a way. 191 00:10:05.759 --> 00:10:08.600 So we'll see how it all shakes out when it's 192 00:10:08.600 --> 00:10:11.639 all said and done. Last night, though, saw some good 193 00:10:11.679 --> 00:10:14.360 things I don't think there's any doubt about that. Again, 194 00:10:14.600 --> 00:10:17.039 I mean, you know, some people on the surface might say, 195 00:10:17.080 --> 00:10:19.759 and you know, I've even kind of used the line 196 00:10:19.840 --> 00:10:22.720 as well that this is almost kind of extended spring 197 00:10:22.759 --> 00:10:26.840 training at this point because the games themselves do not matter, 198 00:10:26.919 --> 00:10:29.679 but for Cleveland it does because they're trying to be 199 00:10:29.720 --> 00:10:32.759 able to get the top spot there as day again 200 00:10:32.919 --> 00:10:35.799 already locked into one of the top two spots, but 201 00:10:36.519 --> 00:10:41.639 the Yankees winning last night and also to the Guardians 202 00:10:41.960 --> 00:10:45.679 losing it to the Astros, so that definitely hurts their 203 00:10:45.799 --> 00:10:48.240 chances of being able to get to that point. But 204 00:10:49.200 --> 00:10:51.799 I mean, you know, the Astros trying to be able 205 00:10:51.840 --> 00:10:54.720 to just carry any momentum they can into the postseason. 206 00:10:54.759 --> 00:10:57.440 I said the Yankees one last night, I lied they 207 00:10:57.440 --> 00:11:01.159 actually lost to the Pirates. Forgot about that too. They're 208 00:11:01.360 --> 00:11:04.000 in the Bronx. But I mean, you know, the good 209 00:11:04.000 --> 00:11:06.320 things we saw Jose Altuve, a couple of hits out 210 00:11:06.320 --> 00:11:09.159 of him, three hits out of Kyle Tucker, three from 211 00:11:09.200 --> 00:11:11.080 Alex Bregman. That's something we're going to talk about a 212 00:11:11.120 --> 00:11:13.679 little bit later on in the show, because I think 213 00:11:14.080 --> 00:11:16.759 that absolutely is something that you love to see. It's 214 00:11:16.799 --> 00:11:19.159 a sight for sore eyes if you're an Astros fan 215 00:11:19.559 --> 00:11:23.320 heading into the postseason. So we will definitely be talking 216 00:11:23.320 --> 00:11:27.200 about that a little bit later on. And tonight's again 217 00:11:27.559 --> 00:11:30.559 five to ten, first pitch from there in Cleveland, and 218 00:11:30.600 --> 00:11:33.840 a programming note about that as well. We're gonna have 219 00:11:34.080 --> 00:11:38.039 Texas in Mississippi State from there in Austin right here 220 00:11:38.159 --> 00:11:41.279 on your home of the Longhorns in Houston for football 221 00:11:41.320 --> 00:11:44.000 and men's basketball Sports Talk seven to ninety, so the 222 00:11:44.039 --> 00:11:47.639 Astros all coverage in between gonna be over on news 223 00:11:47.759 --> 00:11:50.080 Radio seven forty k TRH. I will be coming your 224 00:11:50.120 --> 00:11:53.480 way at four o'clock with Astros on deck over there 225 00:11:53.519 --> 00:11:57.559 on news Radio seven forty. And also we will have 226 00:11:57.840 --> 00:12:01.559 Robert Ford Steve Sparks over there, and the Astros tenth 227 00:12:01.559 --> 00:12:05.360 Inning Show will be there with you as well on KTRH. 228 00:12:05.440 --> 00:12:08.240 But one last chance, I think for Justin Verlander to 229 00:12:08.279 --> 00:12:11.399 prove he can be a possibility to pitch in the postseason. 230 00:12:11.480 --> 00:12:14.799 I don't envision any scenario where Verlander has left off 231 00:12:14.840 --> 00:12:19.320 the postseason roster. But I also think as well, here's 232 00:12:19.320 --> 00:12:22.320 the scenario, say in the Alds if you get to 233 00:12:22.919 --> 00:12:25.720 a Game four and you're kind of thinking about all right, 234 00:12:25.759 --> 00:12:28.039 do we use that day off and bring back fromber 235 00:12:28.120 --> 00:12:30.519 if you're down to one in the series. I think 236 00:12:30.559 --> 00:12:32.279 that's probably the route you would have to go. I 237 00:12:32.360 --> 00:12:35.840 do not pitch Justin Verlander in an elimination scenario. I'm sorry. 238 00:12:35.919 --> 00:12:37.960 He has not proven to me that he can be 239 00:12:38.080 --> 00:12:41.080 reliable in that scenario. In a game where you badly 240 00:12:41.120 --> 00:12:43.600 need a win and you badly need to keep the 241 00:12:43.600 --> 00:12:46.679 opponent off the scoreboard. Verlander has not proven to be 242 00:12:46.720 --> 00:12:49.440 that guy right now. So I don't know. I mean, 243 00:12:49.600 --> 00:12:51.799 is it, you know, one start against a team that 244 00:12:51.919 --> 00:12:54.000 is still playing for something right now that if he 245 00:12:54.080 --> 00:12:57.080 goes out today and say, throws five and third, five 246 00:12:57.120 --> 00:13:00.240 and two thirds six innings, maybe even more, that you 247 00:13:00.279 --> 00:13:02.039 say to yourself, Okay, there's that guy. 248 00:13:02.080 --> 00:13:03.480 He's back. We can go with him. 249 00:13:03.960 --> 00:13:05.720 Or is it one of those that he's kind of 250 00:13:05.799 --> 00:13:07.960 just ho hum and maybe the bats show up for 251 00:13:08.039 --> 00:13:10.159 him and he's able to win the game. I mean, 252 00:13:10.440 --> 00:13:12.799 I think if he's that then you probably feel a 253 00:13:12.799 --> 00:13:15.799 little less certain about what he can bring you in 254 00:13:15.879 --> 00:13:19.159 terms of starting pitching potential. But as of right now, 255 00:13:19.759 --> 00:13:22.240 we've talked about it at nauseum, I think your starting 256 00:13:22.320 --> 00:13:26.159 rotation is pretty simple in terms of the wildcard round, 257 00:13:26.240 --> 00:13:28.679 and this is where I think things start off right now, 258 00:13:28.720 --> 00:13:31.200 because that is where the Astros would start. 259 00:13:31.399 --> 00:13:32.480 You got to go from Or one. 260 00:13:32.519 --> 00:13:34.879 You got to go Hunter Brown two, and then I 261 00:13:34.919 --> 00:13:38.720 think if it's a if necessary Game three, you go 262 00:13:38.840 --> 00:13:42.039 with Yusay Kakuchi, who has been able to prove that 263 00:13:42.120 --> 00:13:45.600 he can get out via the strikeout. And he's also 264 00:13:45.639 --> 00:13:48.759 too I think for the most part limited the damage 265 00:13:48.799 --> 00:13:53.759 against him on the bases and of feet touching home plate. 266 00:13:54.000 --> 00:13:57.600 But that is something that we're going to be continuously 267 00:13:57.679 --> 00:13:59.919 keeping an eye on because I think Renelle Blanco showed 268 00:14:00.159 --> 00:14:03.000 some good stuff last night. So could Renel Blanco maybe 269 00:14:03.039 --> 00:14:05.159 even be a guy that you throw in to a 270 00:14:05.240 --> 00:14:07.519 game three start. I don't know a lot to see 271 00:14:07.519 --> 00:14:09.480 how Joe Aspota plays it all out. 272 00:14:09.519 --> 00:14:10.159 But speaking of. 273 00:14:10.120 --> 00:14:13.639 Joe Aspota coming out next, a storyline of the twenty 274 00:14:13.720 --> 00:14:16.440 twenty four season that is not getting enough run and 275 00:14:16.480 --> 00:14:19.240 I think should be talked about a lot more. We'll 276 00:14:19.240 --> 00:14:21.840 discuss that and much more. Richard John, I see you 277 00:14:21.879 --> 00:14:23.559 guys right there on the phone lines. Get to you 278 00:14:23.679 --> 00:14:26.120 on the other side as well. You want to join them, 279 00:14:26.200 --> 00:14:29.279 you can do so. Seven one, three, two one two five, 280 00:14:29.399 --> 00:14:31.399 seven ninety. Once again, that's seven one three two one 281 00:14:31.440 --> 00:14:34.320 two five at seven ninety as we continue to roll 282 00:14:34.360 --> 00:14:36.879 along here on at Space City Saturday on your home 283 00:14:36.879 --> 00:14:40.559 of the Astros and the Rockets, Sports Talk seven ninety. 284 00:14:42.480 --> 00:14:46.720 Welcome back to Space City Saturday one, Sports Talk seven ninety. 285 00:14:49.840 --> 00:14:52.320 I had that breakfast club mentioned in there, So there 286 00:14:52.360 --> 00:14:55.240 you go. Like I said, I'm Judd Hirsh on the 287 00:14:55.240 --> 00:14:57.559 football field, throwing the fists in the air as I'm 288 00:14:57.600 --> 00:15:00.480 walking off. Don't you forget about me? Don't you forget 289 00:15:00.519 --> 00:15:04.679 about the breakfast club? Emilio Molly. Everybody right there, you 290 00:15:04.799 --> 00:15:07.519 little troublemakers. You're having to hang out in the library. 291 00:15:08.000 --> 00:15:10.440 And then you've got the guy who was the actor's 292 00:15:10.519 --> 00:15:14.200 name at Dan Matthews Hou if anybody remembers who the 293 00:15:14.240 --> 00:15:18.759 actor was that played the principal like he played every 294 00:15:19.000 --> 00:15:23.759 single eighties like just pain in the ass, like authority figure. 295 00:15:23.919 --> 00:15:29.960 I mean, remember he was Deputy Marshall Dwayne whatever on Diehard. 296 00:15:30.679 --> 00:15:32.919 He was the coach I think in Johnny b Bad? 297 00:15:33.720 --> 00:15:37.399 Are Johnny be Good? And what was it he was 298 00:15:37.399 --> 00:15:41.279 in that? I mean that guy just an absolutely you 299 00:15:41.320 --> 00:15:44.360 know what buster, that's what he played in eighties movies. 300 00:15:44.519 --> 00:15:47.720 So if you know that actor's name, please learn me 301 00:15:47.799 --> 00:15:51.080 something right there. It would be much appreciated. All right, 302 00:15:51.360 --> 00:15:53.799 Before I get to the storyline that I think has 303 00:15:53.799 --> 00:15:56.600 not talked about enough for the Astros this year, as 304 00:15:56.639 --> 00:15:59.159 I promised you on the phone lines, you get to 305 00:15:59.360 --> 00:16:03.679 take part as well. And he is Richard, who wants 306 00:16:03.759 --> 00:16:06.679 to weigh in here to talk some Astros. Richard, what's up, buddy? 307 00:16:08.159 --> 00:16:10.840 Hey? Dan? I got a comment and a question. So 308 00:16:10.919 --> 00:16:13.440 the comment is, I thought Blanco and here and Daddy 309 00:16:13.480 --> 00:16:15.559 coming out of the pen last night looked great, and 310 00:16:15.639 --> 00:16:17.759 I sure hope they feature as we go into this 311 00:16:17.960 --> 00:16:21.600 long series. Were about the Embarkhan, But my question is 312 00:16:21.679 --> 00:16:24.519 more kind of technical. I should know and I don't. 313 00:16:25.159 --> 00:16:27.559 How do they use the farm team as they get 314 00:16:27.559 --> 00:16:30.600 into the playoffs? Dan, And you know, I've seen that, 315 00:16:30.759 --> 00:16:32.919 like Gazenzo coming up last night and looked great, But 316 00:16:33.639 --> 00:16:36.159 you know, with the kind of likes of all the 317 00:16:36.159 --> 00:16:38.240 players are kind of injured right now, I'm just kind 318 00:16:38.240 --> 00:16:40.639 of curious about how that farm team can use as 319 00:16:40.639 --> 00:16:41.320 they go forward. 320 00:16:42.039 --> 00:16:44.000 I appreciate the call, Richard. I'll start with the second 321 00:16:44.000 --> 00:16:47.600 one first. It's called the taxi squad is how the 322 00:16:47.639 --> 00:16:52.039 farm team is used. There is a certain amount of 323 00:16:52.080 --> 00:16:55.600 guys that are designated to be part of said taxi squad. 324 00:16:55.639 --> 00:16:58.960 And this was something that came about during COVID when 325 00:16:59.159 --> 00:17:01.799 they did not have minor league baseball that year. So 326 00:17:01.879 --> 00:17:06.000 anybody that could be promoted to the major league level, 327 00:17:06.119 --> 00:17:08.599 they were part of said taxi squad, and they were 328 00:17:08.640 --> 00:17:11.759 able to practice maybe even if you had enough guys 329 00:17:11.839 --> 00:17:14.960 inner squad, and be able to try to stay fresh 330 00:17:15.039 --> 00:17:18.799 for if indeed you were called up to the major 331 00:17:18.839 --> 00:17:22.839 league level. And so that is what they've carried over 332 00:17:22.880 --> 00:17:25.799 to now. So you'll have almost kind of like a 333 00:17:25.839 --> 00:17:29.319 practice squad on an NFL team, where you'll have a 334 00:17:29.359 --> 00:17:31.799 certain amount of guys. I don't know the amount that 335 00:17:31.839 --> 00:17:35.519 you're allowed to have that can be a part of 336 00:17:35.599 --> 00:17:38.319 said taxi squad. But I note that last night I 337 00:17:38.359 --> 00:17:41.960 was listening on my way home to Joe Espada with 338 00:17:42.279 --> 00:17:46.440 Robert Ford talking about Shay Whitcomb where he of course 339 00:17:46.599 --> 00:17:49.880 was sent down, and some people probably wondering, how man, 340 00:17:49.920 --> 00:17:51.279 you know, I mean, that's got to be kind of 341 00:17:51.279 --> 00:17:54.720 tough after he just made all those errors against the 342 00:17:54.720 --> 00:17:56.880 Mariners and you demote him. I mean what's that going 343 00:17:56.920 --> 00:17:58.759 to do for his psyche? He said, well, you know, 344 00:17:58.799 --> 00:18:00.880 we've already told him that Monday, join us back on 345 00:18:00.880 --> 00:18:03.960 the taxi squad, so he will be there. I would 346 00:18:04.000 --> 00:18:08.000 probably suspect that, Like say, it wouldn't surprise me if 347 00:18:08.599 --> 00:18:12.880 even you see Rafael Montero be part of that, and 348 00:18:12.920 --> 00:18:15.200 who knows, maybe even Forrest Whitley be part of that 349 00:18:15.240 --> 00:18:18.359 group as well that are being told, hey, stay fresh, 350 00:18:18.359 --> 00:18:20.880 stay ready, because if there's an injury or if we 351 00:18:20.920 --> 00:18:24.920 feel like you fit a matchup problem for the opponent, 352 00:18:25.160 --> 00:18:27.640 if we are able to move on to the Alds, 353 00:18:27.680 --> 00:18:29.839 then you're gonna be a part of it. So you 354 00:18:29.920 --> 00:18:33.440 have those guys ready for you and looking to be 355 00:18:33.519 --> 00:18:37.000 ready to go. So that's where those guys guys are. 356 00:18:37.319 --> 00:18:41.160 In terms of Spencer Arraghetty and him coming out of 357 00:18:41.160 --> 00:18:43.200 the bullpen, I mean, Blanco did give you a good 358 00:18:43.200 --> 00:18:46.599 start last night, and Blanco does have bullpen experience. We've 359 00:18:46.599 --> 00:18:49.000 seen him come out of the pen in the past. 360 00:18:49.039 --> 00:18:51.480 I mean, this was really the first season that you 361 00:18:51.559 --> 00:18:53.799 had Dana Brown saying hey, let's think about him as 362 00:18:53.799 --> 00:18:56.319 a starter, and boy, it worked out a two point 363 00:18:56.359 --> 00:18:58.480 eight zero e er A for him. This season. But 364 00:18:58.599 --> 00:19:01.599 for Araghetty some good things last night. I mean, you know, 365 00:19:01.599 --> 00:19:03.599 the strikeouts will be there. If he finds the zone, 366 00:19:03.640 --> 00:19:05.759 he's got the stuff that's gonna miss bats, and he 367 00:19:05.799 --> 00:19:08.920 did that four times. The only problem with raic Getty 368 00:19:09.200 --> 00:19:12.880 is sometimes that command can become an issue from a 369 00:19:12.920 --> 00:19:16.319 walks perspective, and that's what it was last night. Three 370 00:19:16.680 --> 00:19:20.000 in that category, but also two as well, with the 371 00:19:20.240 --> 00:19:22.799 lack of command, at times, he can have the baseball 372 00:19:22.880 --> 00:19:25.359 float up in the zone, and those are baseballs that 373 00:19:25.440 --> 00:19:27.759 get barreled up and put over the wall. And you 374 00:19:27.799 --> 00:19:31.119 want to try to limit runs as much as possible 375 00:19:31.160 --> 00:19:34.240 in the postseason because of how finite your chances are 376 00:19:34.279 --> 00:19:36.880 to be able to score against them. It's the same 377 00:19:36.920 --> 00:19:39.319 deal that you want to be able to limit their chances. 378 00:19:39.400 --> 00:19:43.160 That's why you see pitching changes used so liberally during 379 00:19:43.319 --> 00:19:46.920 the postseason, and that is something that Joe Spoda has 380 00:19:46.960 --> 00:19:49.319 to keep in mind. But also two, I mean, we 381 00:19:49.359 --> 00:19:52.160 saw Hunter Brown get some very good innings last year 382 00:19:52.200 --> 00:19:54.000 out of the pin I mean, I remember the back 383 00:19:54.039 --> 00:19:55.640 to that game four. He came out, He's throwing a 384 00:19:55.759 --> 00:19:58.759 hundred and dotting it up on the outside corner against 385 00:19:58.759 --> 00:20:01.000 the Rangers in that game or when to even up 386 00:20:01.039 --> 00:20:04.400 the series. So I mean, Arraghetti could possibly fit that 387 00:20:04.519 --> 00:20:05.480 role again this year. 388 00:20:05.480 --> 00:20:07.200 And you saw it used a little bit last night. 389 00:20:07.200 --> 00:20:09.480 Two and a third innings out there and you get, 390 00:20:09.960 --> 00:20:12.079 you know, two thirds of an inning out of Brian 391 00:20:12.119 --> 00:20:15.079 to bray you and Josh Hater. I'm sure that's gonna 392 00:20:15.079 --> 00:20:18.480 be brought up as well. I mean, Hater, is it 393 00:20:18.519 --> 00:20:20.160 a little bit of a concern right now? Sure, you 394 00:20:20.200 --> 00:20:22.759 don't want to see your closer giving up runs, but 395 00:20:22.839 --> 00:20:25.640 it also is too as well. I mean, you know, 396 00:20:26.400 --> 00:20:29.319 we know what Josh Hater is in save situations, at 397 00:20:29.480 --> 00:20:32.319 least the majority of the season. I think what three 398 00:20:32.359 --> 00:20:34.960 blown saves this year, I think that's what he had. 399 00:20:35.359 --> 00:20:38.480 So you know that's something that you're gonna see. Closers 400 00:20:38.519 --> 00:20:40.839 are gonna give up saves. That's gonna happen during the 401 00:20:40.880 --> 00:20:43.400