Concerned About Astros?

Originally aired on March 28, 2026. On this episode, Cole looks at the first two Astros games of the season, and the alarm bells are ringing... but of course, it's only a couple of games, so it may not mean the end of the world (just yet). Cole also interviews sports reporter Michael Shapiro about last night's Rockets victory over the Grizzlies. Your sports talk therapist is in, and his name is Cole Thompson.

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Any off second two to two is in the dirt.

Speaker 2 (00:02):
It kicks to a hoppy's right and Painia takes off
a third throw down. The third goes into the third in.

Speaker 1 (00:06):
The left field and pain your will store.

Speaker 2 (00:10):
An ill advice throw by Logan o'happy and we're tied
at one, three, two to You're done and that is
smoked deep to right press it goodbye. First home run
for the Astros in twenty twenty six belongs to the
big Band, Jordan Alvarez, five to two Angels. He's ready

(00:33):
for a one to two Astros down to their final strike.
Romano delivers swing and a mess struck him out on
the slider in the dirt, and that is the ballgame.
The Houston Astros start off zero to two as.

Speaker 3 (00:47):
They fall to the Los Angeles Angels six to two.

Speaker 4 (00:51):
Ninety percent of the time, you're gonna feel like that
if you end up not having any success on the
base path. That has been the story of the Hough
Snatchers to begin this season. A right, Let's get the
show on the road, Sup Brendis Cole right here on
Sports Talk seven ninety another Space City Saturday is upon us,
and the phone lines are open.

Speaker 1 (01:08):
For your therapy.

Speaker 4 (01:10):
Seven one three, two, one two five, seven ninety is
the number to get on in. And I know that
there are plenty of you who have things to gripe about,
whether it be the Rockets and what we witnessed the
last two games before last night's win over the Grizzlies,
especially the fifteen point comeback against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Speaker 1 (01:27):
The Cougars not.

Speaker 4 (01:28):
Making it to the round of eight later on today
because instead we're gonna see Illinois take on Iowa for
a shot at the final four. And then, of course
you're Houston Astros who fall to zero to two and
look to get back to their winning ways tonight right
here on Sports Talk seven to ninety, first pitch at
six' Ten Christian hobbier making his. Debut seven one, three
two one two, five seven ninety is the number to

(01:49):
get on.

Speaker 1 (01:49):
In all, right let's go ahead and win the Band aid.

Speaker 4 (01:51):
Off it has been a disastrous week for all of
the city Of.

Speaker 1 (01:55):
Houston, like let's.

Speaker 4 (01:56):
Be honest, here if you have cashed in your fandom
and saying you know what this, WEEKEND i can't do
it for my mental, sake for the fact THAT i
enjoy my livelihood with my. FAMILY i love my. Kids
they don't need to see me in this. VICINITY i
gotta put on the. SHELF i can't blame. YOU i genuinely,

(02:16):
can't because it has been one of those weeks that
just feels like it is longer and longer and you're
waiting for the clock to hit. Midnight Like, frankie you,
know when you're working a ship and it's, Like, OKAY
i got one more, hour and then like you think
that you've done like six hours of work and it's
been ten. Minutes that's what this week in the city
Of houston has been for sports, fans especially when it

(02:36):
comes to the sports that you think you're supposed to.

Speaker 1 (02:39):
Dominate we could start off with The.

Speaker 4 (02:40):
Rockets things have not looked right for about three weeks.

Speaker 1 (02:45):
Now they haven't looked great.

Speaker 4 (02:46):
As in terms of a contender for the entire season
really since the Post All star, break but still the
last three weeks you are seeing countless errors after, errors
mistakes that are mundane that lead to colube so collapses
and ultimately now the expectations of what we thought The
rockets were supposed to be going into twenty twenty six

(03:07):
have drastically. ALTERED i, mean you tell me that you
go get a guy Like Kevin durant and you Have Ime,
udoka and you still Have Jabari smith that you think
is gonna take that next jump, forward and then we're
promising results when it comes To Aman thompson And Alprin
shingoon looks like a quality number, two and you're fighting
to stay out of the playing tournament with less than

(03:27):
twelve games off on the, schedule like that doesn't seem.
Right and then to put it on top of everything,
Else Colin sexton And alabamagrad THAT i would have loved
to see down here role. Time we'll talk about that
a little bit, later ends up dropping twenty five on
you from the. Bench, meanwhile your, bench which is a
combination Of Tarry easton and who the hell else wants
to play, today can't get more than twelve, points and

(03:50):
you lose Against chicago and you're down by twenty and
then you talk, about, well let's go to the next.

Speaker 1 (03:56):
One let's talk about that game Against.

Speaker 4 (03:57):
Minnesota there's no, amp multiple starters fell out of the,
game No Rudy gobert in, overtime you tie the game
at ninety five apiece and you jump up to a
thirteen oh run to begin. Overtime, okay de looks pom
point Alput chinoud has a couple of good. Shots i'm
in tops and drans a couple of, buckets and it
feels like they're gonna.

Speaker 1 (04:18):
Coast their starters are.

Speaker 4 (04:19):
Out we're trying to gain ground With minnesota in the
rankings for being a fifth place team in The Western,
conference and we gotta feel pretty good after what we
just looked like the first one hundred and twenty seconds
coming out of the, gate like we're gonna be able
to just. Coast oh wait a. Minute then came the
other shoe that decided to drop at a thousand miles
per hour onto the hopes and dreams Of rockets fans,

(04:40):
everywhere because it was a fifteen to oh, run a
game winning shot By Julius randall to secure the victory
and the biggest comeback IN nba history in overtime by
any team being down by thirteen fifteen oh run to
call It Dante devincenzo coming off the, Bench, oh look
at that money shopping. Downtown we're gonna call it a.

(05:00):
Day and you asked, yourself what are we? Doing what
DID i sign up? For where WAS i supposed to
go ahead and look at this and, say, oh, yeah
this is The ROCKETS i had actually paid. For this
is WHERE i thought it was gonna. Be, now the
good news is you gotta.

Speaker 1 (05:13):
Win last.

Speaker 4 (05:14):
Night did it feel a little bit too close for
comfort in terms of the score because it was only
a ten point differential against a team that's trying to
get better odds for the lottery.

Speaker 1 (05:21):
Pick, yeah but beggars can't be chooses right.

Speaker 4 (05:23):
Now you need except a. Win how you looked in
the game still and needs to be brought to the.
Attention we'll do that when we bring Up Michael shapiro
at eleven thirty later on. Today but still you can be,
frustrated and that's been a nagging pain in the side
for a.

Speaker 1 (05:37):
While but they an't got Your.

Speaker 4 (05:38):
Cougars Houston cougar's back Home south region number two seed
and they look on. POINT i, mean if you told
me that the career that The houston that we saw
On saturday was that version of the entire, YEAR i would.

Speaker 1 (05:52):
Have called your ass.

Speaker 4 (05:53):
Nine IF i had not Watched Houston cougar's basketball for
most of the season against top ten. Teams because if
you tell me that The idaho game in The TEXAS
a AND m game is what we were supposed to
see From, HOUSTON i would say That houston wins that
game by twelve, points fifteen. Points they're fifty percent from
three point, range they're forty eight percent of the.

Speaker 1 (06:12):
Field they're winning the rebound.

Speaker 4 (06:14):
Battle Chris sanak is looking on, Point Milo susan is
draining buckets like no one's. Business, Hey Jojo, tuggley you're
saying out of foul. Trouble BUT i know what This
houston team, was AND i saw it throughout the, season
AND i still believe after that game Against TEXAS a AND,
m which was an absolute beat down of beatdowns Against.

Speaker 1 (06:33):
Bully Bucky, ball that they were going to be at
a good.

Speaker 4 (06:36):
Pace and you, Figured, Okay houston Backyard toyota, center veteran
roster going up against an ALONE i team that did
not win The Big, Ten, yeah we'll be. Fine and
you wear anything but and credit recreds To, illinois a
damn good. Team i'm standing on business WHEN i say.
THIS i said this on the morning. Drive i'm not
gonna change my. OPINION i believe That illinois right now

(06:56):
looks the part of a national championship contending, team and
that they will be playing on A monday night In
indianapolis with likely a very Pro illinois, crowd BECAUSE i
don't know how far you guys Realize indianapolis is From Champagne.
Illinois it's enough of a drive to make you kind
of go ahead and get, carsick but not enough for
you to miss it a chance of cutting down the.
NETS i think that team is gonna be playing in

(07:17):
the national title. Game AND i would have said the
exact same thing About. Houston whoever plays, TODAY i think
would easily be beating up on who the winner of
The Iowa nebraska. GAME i said that all. Week i'm
not changing my, stance But iowa misshots. Too iowa was
terrible offensively in the first. HALF i Mean, illinois my,
Apologies illinois couldn't drain a. BUCKET i mean the first

(07:38):
six minutes of, action we were at ten total. Points
nobody was playing a great offensive, execution and yet, still
thanks to A Kingston fleming three right before the, Buzzer
houston's only trailing by two going into the second, half
and then comes what we have seen against quality teams
throughout the entire, year and it's more disastrous, execution long

(08:00):
droughts of being unable to score and teams finding their
rhythm at the worst time, possible Where Calvin sampson has
to call a time out and you start to, wonder
is this the beginning of the?

Speaker 1 (08:08):
End a fifteen oh.

Speaker 4 (08:09):
Run you don't score for over six minutes of, action
consistently missing wide open.

Speaker 1 (08:15):
Shots it's not like they were.

Speaker 4 (08:17):
CONTESTED i, Mean CHRISTINAK i can't tell you how many
TIMES i counted the open ways that he was just
gonna be able to drain a nine, footer a ten
foot or twelve, footer and it just ricocheted around the.
Rim bad, shots bad. Execution and now you get a
team filled with a bunch Of Eastern european players that
probably could be playing in The, olympics having forty minutes
away from cutting down the nets here In houston and

(08:39):
going to play in the final.

Speaker 1 (08:40):
Four it was.

Speaker 4 (08:41):
Bad it's, Bad and, Yes houston found a way to
get a little bit of a rhythm late in the
game to where it was at least somewhat. Close you
were WITHIN i think it was six with a mint
and a half, left and unfortunately too, little too. Late
you need to see that execute when it came to
the first half Of, Now, houston it's a new, era
potentially college basketball right to the. CENTER i don't know
what to, expect and, Honestly.

Speaker 1 (09:02):
I'm not gonna. JUDGE i still Think houston would be
a good.

Speaker 4 (09:05):
TEAM i Think houston will probably be one of the
better teams in The big twelve because of the man
leading the. Charge you Got Calvin sampson still going out,
recruiting bringing in the right pieces and developing. Talent players
still want to stick around because they Realize i'd go
to THE nba and get paid a million dollars to
be a bench player in THE G, league OR i
could stick around here for one point one and be
a star in The big.

Speaker 1 (09:24):
Twelve, YEAH i think that's gonna.

Speaker 5 (09:26):
WORK i.

Speaker 1 (09:27):
DO i think it, should But i'm not.

Speaker 4 (09:30):
Entirely sure with how much veteran talent is leaving and
LOSING a guy Like Kingston fleming because the lottery is
called and he hit the jackpop of being a top five,
pick you're gonna see the same roster come on, back
and so that frustrates, you and then it culminates To
astro's opening.

Speaker 1 (09:47):
Day and the one constant that we have.

Speaker 4 (09:48):
In this city more than anything, else is, that you,
know The astros are supposed to be, good elite, Pitching
jose Al, tuve hitting, yard getting a healthy Yord On alvarez,
back making sure you got your ace on the mound
to begin in the, series and it's The Los angeles Freaking.

Speaker 1 (10:01):
ANGELS i, mean.

Speaker 4 (10:03):
They got a manager that's on a one year deal
because they're not even sure that their GM's gonna. Last
so the new guy that's gonna come on in doesn't
want to be tied to the hit with someone from
the previous. Regime like that's what The angels are dealing
with right. Now they're, low they're they're highly, overpriced they
constantly negate all their. Errors they physically have no inclination

(10:23):
about what it means to develop talent because they just
send guys up for the miners. Immediately and then they
come in here and they are able to get back
to back wins against two pitchers THAT i have high
hopes for that credible creds. Too none of that can
be blamed on hundred round in my, opinion none of
that can be blamed on what you sawp in the.
Diesel dude delivered four and two thirds innings of quality

(10:44):
work in nine strikeouts on the.

Speaker 1 (10:46):
Day he was. Wheeling he's in his, bag he has great.

Speaker 4 (10:49):
Control exceptional, velocity and he's making plan for playoff to.
Play i'm not putting on, him and, Honestly i'm not
even gonna put that on Aj. BLUEBOND i get to
that in a, minute because actually want to talk about
something that is really important that think that we need
to bring on up in. Overreaction under, reaction you give
up one home run to a guy who at this
point may have found the fountain of youth because A

(11:09):
Mike trout looks. Legit it's a one nothing, game and
if your roof is open or better, yet if abs
system or the challenge system ends up giving at least
a little bit of a griping period to a guy in,
HOSE i mean In Jordan, alvarez not only does he
hit the first a long ball of the, season but
he's doubled his total within two, days and it's a
one to one game in that, standpoint and then unfortunately

(11:31):
then we got to talk about the other run that
was scored in the, eighth and then we got to talk
about the run that was scored in the, ninth that
three a solo shot By Nolan. Shane you want to
make a three, Nothing but you don't blame that on
B you don't blame that at all A Hunter. Brown
you certainly can ask about what's going on with the.
Bats terrible with the runers and scoring. Position fail to
get a running on day one and then day. TWO

(11:51):
i know people are talking About Mike, burrows And i'll
get to that also in a little, bit BECAUSE i
still have a lot of high hopes In Mike.

Speaker 1 (11:56):
Burrows it wasn't, Good it wasn't.

Speaker 4 (11:58):
Terrible like the way any The twitter And astros fans
are losing their minds saying that the spring training was
just a fool's gold.

Speaker 1 (12:06):
MAGIC i understand your.

Speaker 4 (12:07):
GRIPE i, Also i'm gonna tell, you let's give him
like five starts before we go ahead and start bringing
out the pitchforks and in the.

Speaker 1 (12:13):
Flames, okay let's just do.

Speaker 4 (12:14):
That he got in some really bad luck in the
home run ball By Josh lowe would have been a home,
run AND i, think like in twenty. Parks it would
have been a flyout IN, pnc so launch angles velocity
having a short porch that doesn't bode well in your.
Favor i'm not giving gripes To Mike. Burrows i'm just
saying it was a PROBABLY c level, performance maybe see
mis level performance that you really want to see more.

(12:36):
From but you can't win or have any success when
you go one of seven.

Speaker 1 (12:41):
With rodgers scoring.

Speaker 4 (12:41):
Position you can't win when you're constantly finding ways to
strike on out ten strikeouts a day after having nine,
strikeouts so blank discipline is still all over the, place
the inconsistency at the plate to be able to get
With rogers and scoring, position you have MULTI i, mean
you have two guys that get extra base hits so
far in eights in, action and one of them didn't

(13:02):
play last.

Speaker 1 (13:02):
Night so now it's just like what DO i do
as A houston sports fan this?

Speaker 4 (13:07):
MORNING i can watch The astros play day AND i plan,
to BUT i ALSO i am now going to be
sitting on pins and needles BECAUSE i don't want to
lose my opening series with The.

Speaker 1 (13:16):
Astros they're The.

Speaker 4 (13:18):
Angels like this is like talking, About, hey what would
you rather have for breakfast a five course meal cooked
by A michelin star, chef or a can of, sardines
and the your sardines are the, angels not to, day
not right.

Speaker 1 (13:32):
Now it doesn't feel that, way you tell you that.
Much so what is?

Speaker 4 (13:35):
It what do you do as A houston sports fan
if you got to take a weekend?

Speaker 1 (13:40):
OFF i get. IT i. Do it's been constantly NonStop.

Speaker 4 (13:45):
Disappointment and the worst part is that now you're banking
Onto Houston, texans who we still have no idea what
that offense is going to look like going in the
next season being the. Backbone and speaking of which, offense somebody, knock,
knock who's their? Offense, no it's actually a milk carton missing,
somewhere looking to be found by its.

Speaker 1 (14:02):
Parents that's what we're waiting. For are we gonna see it?

Speaker 4 (14:05):
Tonight are we gonna see it tomorrow when The rockets
take on The, Pelicans are we gonna see it When
boston comes to town next? Week and are we gonna
see it in twenty twenty six when The textans take the.
FIELD i can tell you what a lot of people
in the city are tired of not seeing offense on
the plate seven one, three, two one two, five seven.
Ninety this is therapy for, you laises and. Gentlemen call
on into the. Show we got two hours to break

(14:26):
down everything that we have seen In houston. Sports take
a quick time out when we come. Back, overreaction under.
Reaction we are eighteen innings in to the next season
Of astros.

Speaker 1 (14:37):
Baseball what is legit and what is fools?

Speaker 4 (14:40):
Gold both positively and negatively THAT i think could easily
be fixed in the next Nine, france we talking about
that much. More one segment, down seven more to. Go
right here on a space Say, Saturday Sports talk seven.
Ninety it is a Space Aday. Saturday right here On
Sports talk seven. Ninety astrostoven found what they're looking for
at the. Plate that's for dang. Sure seven one three
two one two five seven. Nine if you want to

(15:01):
chime on, In, mom don't call me on mon are right.
Now if you could hear that, MESSAGE i. Apologize rockets
win last night by ten over The Memphis Grizzlies Houston.

Speaker 1 (15:10):
Couger's they are out of the round to.

Speaker 4 (15:11):
Sixteen we do have a round tonight Between illinois And
iowa for a shot At indianapolis and The astros will
take the mount at six tenulus to the. Game right
here On Sports talk seven Ninety Christian hoveer making his. Debut,
okay buy or, sell let's talk about. This we are
eighteen games into the regular, season eighteen inings into the new.

Speaker 1 (15:35):
Season my.

Speaker 4 (15:35):
Apologies eighteen games is now Where i'm meant to. Say
we're eighteen incs in. It we have the overreaction and
you know, WHAT i don't blame. YOU i Don't this
past week has been one thing after another of just
lackluster hit hit body bow blody bo blody.

Speaker 1 (15:49):
Blow it's, like all, right, COOL i want to. Gripe
so what are the things that.

Speaker 4 (15:54):
You're allowed to gripe? About there negative and one of
the things that you can gripe out they're. Positive, Okay
so here is the first buy or. SELL i am
buying the fact that right now The astros offense is
in a long deby list of concerns and it's gonna
be a long season at the. PLATE i AM i
trust That i'm gonna see Yourd On alvarez launched at
least thirty plus. HOMMERS i can trust That Jmi pangin

(16:16):
his first debut last. Night if you're not playing on opening,
day goes two for two to begin the. Game two good.
Singles looks clean at the. Plate both swings were on.
POINT i think the ex velosity was over ninety five
miles per, hour so you know that he's got a
good swing, around good torque on the.

Speaker 1 (16:30):
BAT i don't worry about him at the leadoff.

Speaker 4 (16:32):
Spot i'm a little concerned with everyone else, Now Christian.

Speaker 1 (16:36):
Walker, hey good news is he hasn't struck out, yet
so that's a. Win we'll Take god's.

Speaker 4 (16:40):
Win, okay but he still has one hit in six plate. Appearances,
okay that's probably what you, want your seven hole, hitter
and that's not what you want for a guy making
twenty million dollars per. Year you so far have scored
one run with The roarson scoring, position and he came
out of pass ball in the first setting Because i'm
a bad throw With logan O hoppy going to.

Speaker 1 (16:59):
Third that's not a good.

Speaker 4 (17:01):
Sign if you didn't have, that who knows what the
grand total would. Be and you also only have ability
scored one run that has come via the long, ball
and it came from your best hitter and a guy
that you probably, trust have to play more than anybody
else on the, roster and definitely a top five left
handed bat in the, sport but still one run through eighteen.
INNINGS i think that is a omen of what this

(17:23):
season could, be not saying it entirely is gonna be that,
way but it's gonna be some. Issues you're still seeing
far too many swings and. Misses you're still seeing a
far too many play appearances that you wish would go
to seven eight at, BAT i mean seven eight pitches
that are going four or. FIVE i think that's gonna
be a problem all, year and so you're gonna rely
heavily on your, pitching especially guys Like Hunter, brown hopefully

(17:45):
Vintage Christian, Hobvier Tatsuya emi who makes his debut, tomorrow
AND i will even Go Mike burrows to a certain
degree and we'll get.

Speaker 1 (17:52):
To him in a. MINUTE i think that you're gonna need.

Speaker 4 (17:55):
Them to step on up in more waste than one
JUST i think that that's just gonna be the, case
and they're gonna have to give you six quality addings of,
work and you're gonna have to rely a lot on your. Defense,
toveil you out of trouble and then your bullpen buying number.
TWO i am buying. That right, now we are beginning
to see a question mark surrounding the long term status
of Yonr.

Speaker 1 (18:14):
Das i'm buying.

Speaker 4 (18:15):
It Yr das was somebody WHO i know a lot
of people wanted to see more growth, from especially at the.
Play he has a one to forty three batting average
through six played, appearances.

Speaker 1 (18:25):
And that's concerning to a.

Speaker 4 (18:27):
Degree he has three, strikeouts and the problem with two
of those three strikeouts it's the same thing that we
were griping about all last.

Speaker 1 (18:34):
Season you're swinging outside the zone too.

Speaker 4 (18:37):
Much you're watching as an off speed pitch is cralling
and having such good movement at the last second that
it looks like it's all the way out To.

Speaker 1 (18:44):
TIMBUCTOO i think you still swing.

Speaker 4 (18:48):
Two of us three, strikeouts the final strike nowhere near
the zone.

Speaker 1 (18:53):
Nowhere And i'm not even talking about framing.

Speaker 4 (18:55):
Purposes i'm talking about when you look at Where Logan
O hoppy's glove was and Where yiner's bat, was everybody
knew it was a, ball and you still swung at.
It this is becoming, concerning and it's making me wonder
what is going to be the long term play Of
yaner moving? Forward do WHY i think that he is
going to be at least part of The astros organization
the rest of this. Year, absolutely AM i hoping That

(19:17):
yer can turn it. Around, YEAH i, am at least,
offensively BECAUSE i know defensively there are some warranted. Issues
that is this never going to go. Away that's who
he is as a. Player But i'm not ready to
go ahead and say that the offense is entirely, bad
but it is worthy of buying into the sock Of,
Yeah i'm, nervous AND i don't think anybody else should not.
BE i genuinely think most people should be at least.

(19:38):
Concerned at this. Point it's a laundry list longer of
what we. Know the third Thing i'm, buying and this
has nothing to do with The. Astros this is everything
to do with Major League. Baseball Mike trout's. Back Mike
trot hit two long balls and both of them would
have been out in every single park In. America the
liner yesterday off Of Mike burrow and then the towering

(20:01):
shot On Opening day against Aj.

Speaker 1 (20:03):
Bluebomb that's. It he's back swing approach is. Good he stays.

Speaker 4 (20:10):
Healthy, defensively he's still gonna be A Gold glove caliber center.
Fielder he's running around the base. Path he's great when
it comes to watching balls going. By he walked four
times in the series so, far and the dude's been
on base more often than anybody. Else like he can
just go ahead and prop up a nice little condo
at first because he's there every single, day and he's
almost there every single plate. Appearance right, now if you're

(20:31):
looking At Mike trot's, numbers he has a six sixty
seven batting AVERAGES.

Speaker 1 (20:34):
Ops HIS ops is two point four to sixty.

Speaker 4 (20:37):
Seven he's on pace to hit sixty eight home runs
and one hundred and sixty five.

Speaker 1 (20:43):
Rby, guys he's really.

Speaker 4 (20:46):
Good he's really, good And i'm very interested to see
what happens next with.

Speaker 1 (20:51):
HIM i.

Speaker 4 (20:52):
Am i'm very interested to see where we are going
to get more from.

Speaker 1 (20:56):
BECAUSE i have a bull tag THAT i think that
he is going to get traded this. YEAR i really.

Speaker 4 (20:59):
DO i think la is gonna realize that his best
years are behind. Him this is a special. Season cash
on in while you can get as many prospects as.
Possible and let him go win title with somebody, else
let him go play in the postseason for the first
time in over a. Decade BUT i believe that the
version we're Seeing Mike trout right, now the one that everyone's, like, oh, Look,
Grandpa Mike trout is hitting long balls Of mike. Burrows

(21:20):
that should be a sign of concern for. Us, no
that's be a good sign of concern for all twenty
nine other major league teams that arguably one of the
best hitters of his generation may have found the fountain
of youth and he's back in the. Lineup i'm buying.
It i'm also buying that The astros will be. Fine
guys were two games into the, season LIKE i understand

(21:41):
that we all want to. GRIPE i all understand that
we want to go ahead and be worried and frustrated
about things that are going on because of we're supposed
to be The. Astros we're supposed to get crap out.
Everybody we're supposed to be the standard of The American League,
west and we look nothing like. It The angels are
supposed to be in the, cellar and right now we
have one quality run to show for in eighteen nights of.
WORK i get, that but it's two games into the.

(22:04):
Season i'm not gonna hit the panic. Mode you know
WHEN i hit the panic mode when we get to
the end Of. April and this is the offense that we're,
getting and this is What Mike burrow's is looking like,
consistently and this is what we are seeing from guys
with the runs and scoring, position and we're still seeing
plate discipline and swings out of the wazoo that come from. Nowhere,
like that's WHEN i will be. Worried and that's when

(22:24):
you should be. WORRIED i get griping and saying it's
gonna be a long, season because right now it is
we have no idea what to make of This asters.

Speaker 1 (22:32):
Team and that's for like the.

Speaker 4 (22:32):
First time in probably what eight, years we've had to
actually have that inclination that we don't know what to,
expect which is right to be concerned about it, Is
BUT i also think that you are putting the wagon
before the horse when it comes to being this upset
over two games of. Action Take away The Mike trout home,
runs take away The josh lowhome. Runs you still lose

(22:55):
last night And Mike burrow still gets the, yell but
you feel a lot better about him as a. Pitcher
i'll tell you how MUCH i think you feel really
good about him as at least being a part of your.
Ritation here's the Part i'm selling two sells for your
real Fast marcusiti on the phone lines don't go. Anywhere
So i'm selling the fact That Mike burrows is a
dud and that what we saw in spring training was a. Joke,
Guys burrows was not great last. Night i'll be the first,
said and it is part of my overall inclination right

(23:18):
now going about talking because IF i have a long
term employee saying That Mike burrows is gonna be the
stud of the, offseason yeah it. Is but he got
put into a position of bad luck with a couple
of blop singles and then the long ball that came
out again The JOSH i mean the The josh lohomer
that would have been out in twenty, ballparks so in

(23:42):
almost half the ballparks it's sort of been a. Flyout
bad timing doesn't help that you walk to get a
bat around. Base it doesn't help that you have five
strikeouts and a couple of really bad. Misplacements it doesn't
help that your control was all over the, place but
there were still things to. Like the change up was,
Legit like if you're watching the way that his, fastball
which hovers around night ninety, six then drops immediately to

(24:03):
eighty two and the movement you get on it going
to the outside. Corner you gotta be impressed with. That
So i'm not ready to sell the stock on what you.
Got when it comes To Mike, burrows, yeah it wasn't
a good, performance but number, one he still is getting
acclimated Major league.

Speaker 1 (24:17):
Baseball let's get that out of the.

Speaker 4 (24:18):
Way he's barely pitched in thirty games his, career and number,
two he's probably not a number. Two and maybe that's
on me for believing that WHAT i saw in spring
training was putting the wagon before the. HORSE i tried
to never follow that logic to begin. With BUT i
still think that he is going to end up being
a pretty quality. Pitcher maybe eventually you moved out See
emaya to the two and you put him in the,

(24:39):
four and if he's your, four you feel a lot.
Better you don't feel, elite but you still feel a lot.
Better that's Where i'm at when it comes to, THAT
i still think that there's more to believe In Mike.
Burrows i'm also selling the fact that again you're going
to have all of these struggles on the. Plate, yeah
you're gonna need to See Christian walker have a better
average than the month.

Speaker 1 (24:59):
Sixties But i'm also looking at his.

Speaker 4 (25:01):
Ops he's got six nineteen that's second on the, team
only behind Your Non. ALVAREZ i do think that you
are going to see more consistency at the plate from
guys like Like Cam. Smith Now cam right, now it's
a little concerning because his strikeout rate is through the.

Speaker 1 (25:15):
Roof he still doesn't have a.

Speaker 4 (25:17):
Hit it's a little bit four strikeouts in two, games
he doesn't have a, Walk SO i, MEAN i guess
you can throw that out.

Speaker 1 (25:23):
There BUT i do.

Speaker 4 (25:25):
Think that you are going to see one of these
hitters get on. BAT i don't know, WHERE i don't know,
who BUT i think that you're gonna see it at some.
Point not ready to go one way or another with this,
Team i'm selling the inclination that this is what the
offense is gonna.

Speaker 1 (25:38):
Be DO i think it's gonna be a top ten? Offense,
NO i do.

Speaker 4 (25:41):
Not DO i think it's gonna be the worst In
Major League, baseball which right now looks Like, NO i
do not seven one, three, two one two five seven.
Ninety all, right let's give to the phone. Lines, mark good,
morning what's up, man what's?

Speaker 6 (25:51):
Up go?

Speaker 5 (25:52):
By, hey thanks for TAKING i was kind of listening
to you a little bit, earlier and uh, much you're
dissecting this offense just a little bit too much after
just two. GAMES i, mean you're.

Speaker 4 (26:06):
Allow you're allowed to hit the Panag moode a little,
man But i'm not ready to go ahead and sell
one way or. ANOTHER i, mean, listen DO i think
this is going to be a top ten? Offense, no
not at. All DO i think it's going to be?
It DO i think it's going to be a bottom ten. Offense,
NO i don't think so. EITHER i think he'll be
in the middle of the pack, offense.

Speaker 5 (26:22):
Right, right. Right but, anyway let let's go back to
the first. GAME i don't know what A spot was
thinking About Hunter. BROWN i know he's a workhole horse
and he can do all those, things but why did
he let him go one hundred pitches in his first?
START i don't get. IT i don't get.

Speaker 1 (26:38):
It did he throw a hundred?

Speaker 4 (26:40):
Pitches?

Speaker 6 (26:42):
YEAH i THOUGHT i was lessing that or.

Speaker 1 (26:46):
Four he was at four and two. Thirds you're right about.
THAT i know you are on that.

Speaker 7 (26:50):
One.

Speaker 4 (26:50):
MARK i just don't think it was one. HUNDRED i
THINK i thought it was eighty two for some.

Speaker 6 (26:53):
Reason, well he was at the eighty ninety mark when
he came, in and then by then it WAS i was, like.

Speaker 5 (27:02):
Oh my, god he should have put the blue ball
in after. That but, anyway you're all.

Speaker 4 (27:07):
Right he was at one hundred and two. Pitches my,
apologies good, good good good.

Speaker 5 (27:10):
Call yeah up, there And i'm, like, man that's a
little bit too much for the first. Start but other than,
that they're gonna be fine, COLD i really, do they're
gonna be. FINE i, think you, know give it maybe
another two or three. Games they'll get settled, in they'll
get the feet on the, ground they'll start swinging, it
and they'll be. Aggressive.

Speaker 4 (27:28):
Mark i'm telling you right, Now i'm not gonna hit
any panic mode or go to deaf con one until
the end Of. April Like i'm frustrated with how the offense,
looks But i'll tell every single person in the city Of.
Houston do not go ahead and think that the season's
over because of two games in you're one of eleven
at the, plate Like i'm, sorry like like you can't
go to that. Level like AND i agree with you on, That.

Speaker 5 (27:49):
Bud all, right here's my. Producing if we get off
to a slow, START i promise you by the end
Of april Early, may we're gonna be taken off and
we'll make the, playoffs. Regardless if we get sweat this this, series,
regardless that's For we're gonna make the playoffs and we're
gonna make it deep.

Speaker 1 (28:08):
Run All, Right i'm gonna get your out of here on.

Speaker 4 (28:09):
This what's gonna be The what's gonna be the line
For Christian javier and his debut.

Speaker 5 (28:13):
TONIGHT i THINK i think he's GONNA i think he's
gonna come out and he's gonna. DEAL i think he's
gonna prove a point. TONIGHT i really.

Speaker 1 (28:23):
DO i appreciate the phone, Call.

Speaker 4 (28:24):
MARK i always appreciate you listening seven one.

Speaker 1 (28:27):
NINETY i.

Speaker 4 (28:28):
AGREE i don't know if it's because IF i need
to be right about something this, week BECAUSE i have
been very wrong this, week and if you listen to
The Morning. DRIVE i very much have got to eat
a lot of. Crow i'm not ready to go ahead
and Say Mike burrows is.

Speaker 1 (28:41):
Bad i'm. NOT i refuse to give up on.

Speaker 4 (28:43):
That so if you're gonna call me out for, that,
Whatever But i've also said That Christian javier could be
The east and the hole for the. SCENE i need
to see it tonight seven one three two seven Ninety,
gerard we see you on the phone. Lines take a
quick time. Out when we come, back let's talk about
a little bit more at the. ASTROS i also want
to get some cougar's. CONVERSATION i know you want to
talk about. That we got two Segments sounds six to.
Go SPACE A saturday continues next right here On Sports

(29:04):
talk seven.

Speaker 1 (29:04):
Ninety SPACE A saturday rolling right along.

Speaker 4 (29:06):
Here On sportstock seven ninety Sup, friends Call Thompson rock
With chew until noon today seven one, three two one
two five seven ninety is the guest line if you
want to call on an event to your frustrations on
the world Of houston, sports which right now feels like
it is dark and, gloomy but the bright days are,
ahead especially hopefully to night When Christian haavier makes his
debut with The astros of twenty twenty six against The

(29:28):
Los Angeles, angels and you see the first. Win you
already saw a win last night by The Houston rockets
ten point victory over a Middling Memphis grizzlies. Teams But
bakers can't be. Choosers they want to continue their winning
streak tomorrow when they played down The big easy against
The New Orleans pelicans and The Houston cougars could be
a sort of a new era With Calvin sampson still

(29:49):
at the. Helm it's making that clear after losing in
the round of sixteen To illinois seven one three two
one two five seven.

Speaker 1 (29:55):
Ninety let's go to the phone. Lines, Girod good, morning my.
Man what's?

Speaker 6 (29:58):
UP i ain't too much now have?

Speaker 2 (30:01):
Gone?

Speaker 6 (30:04):
Yeah. UH i think The ashtoes this year is gonna
have to play a little bit more situation on. Baseball
like you, SAID i don't think they're gonna have a
top ten. OFFENSE i don't think they're gonna be a
bottom ten. Offense they'll be probably be the middle of a.
Tank they don't have the officers they had when they
were Winning World. Series so that's for. Sure you, know
teams are kind of Identified Yordan avaret as the best.
Player so any time they as shows have any kind

(30:26):
of traffic on, basis they're gonna they're gonna walk him
at the first base. Open they're gonna, there and the
guy that hits behind, him they'll beat. Them so you,
know they don't have they don't have the two ways
acts like the hit that he was in his, prime
neither his career or they don't have their live they
had in the, past so they gonna have to, command
have to play situation of. Baseball when he looked at
the first game against The, Angels Christian walker hit a.

(30:47):
Temple they was down one, Nothing he was at second
base with no house and y'alla dead came to. PLAY
i know he's. Out you know he's there a probably
a bunnet. Before but that's something you can you can
work on his fring. Training you bust the guy all the.
Way he's gonna stup too after the tie the game. Up,
instead they had them guys up there swinging free, swinging
trying to set up a big, inning and you don't
have the type of line up to really be playing

(31:09):
that type of. Fall in my, OPINION i think they
got to play a little bit more situation on baseball this.
YEAR i think the picture is gonna be. GOOD i
think the bullpen's gonna be, good AND i think the
division there in is not that. STRONG i still believe
they can win the division or at least get a
wild court. Spot SO i still think it's just's still
gonna be a good chance for them to have.

Speaker 4 (31:27):
Three three on those, Points, SHARON i completely agree with
you on every single one you just.

Speaker 6 (31:31):
Made, yeah you appreciate. You and as far as The coopers,
Go Kevil, sampson, mean you, know since he's been, there
we've had some great. DEFENSES i just think we need
to get a little bit more versatility through the. Offense you,
KNOW i don't know if they. Can you, know he
he's pretty much runs to show, there BUT i would
probably try to mention him maybe to bring in a
coach that you, know has a you, know a high

(31:52):
degree in, offense you, know kind of bring in an
offensive coordinator maybe on the coaching, staff to get a
little more a little bit more versativity on the office of.
End BECAUSE i watch The cooper's, claim, man they kind
of got like a simple. Offense you know they have
took her coming out there sitting the pick and then
uh cleman going off the, pick you, know trying to
make things happen off the dribble. Man that's pretty much they.
Offense they don't have a lot of play day run you,

(32:13):
Know christmas style offense or backdeor. Lils you, know you
have a guy like a a guy like the. Shoot
they got a. Name the name Is sharp coming off
for us and stuff like. That, Yeah Mallion. Sharp yeah
he's a, shooter he. Said you know you have them
coming off double screens and stuff like that a little
bit more. Often, well you playing some weird. STRESS i
THINK i think that's what they need going play.

Speaker 4 (32:35):
With but, now hang, on jer not not not cut your,
off but you're, saying as an assistant, coach, right not
get rid Of kelvin for an offensive mind of.

Speaker 6 (32:41):
Coach right, now guy has an assistant coach clibor an offensive.
Coordinator you, know he's a he's a football up cree
in office. Coordinator the first five of offense have kell
still run the defense and maybe they can probably get
you the commerce brand and win a. Championship but that's
what it was held them back to uh these lass
three or four. Years, man they just don't see these
orange ross, MAN i really really hurt. Them when you're

(33:01):
playing those top up of strong, teams you can't go
you can't go through a five six seven minute time
where you're not. Scoring man costs you in the. Game
SO i think that's probably the tweak that they need
to get them over the. Hump but that just just
my thoughts on The coopers and The. Astros, Man i'm
not the, visit SO i feel Like astros to win
to visit. It worst case, scenario they get one of

(33:22):
the wall for.

Speaker 1 (33:23):
Spots appreciate, you.

Speaker 4 (33:25):
Jay, Ryn, Listen you're not gonna get any pushback from.
ME i think that The ashes will be in the.
PLAYOFFS i, do and it's largely due to. Pitching it
is again it's all my stock on my burrows because
of one, Game LIKE i can look at the two
home runs and, say, yeah that was a, fault that
was a, fluke that was something you want, back because

(33:45):
again it's four runs of the six that were. Scoring
you still would have lost BECAUSE i don't think that
YOU i think even still you would have at least
given up one more. Run so it would have been
three to Two burrels still would have either gotten the
no decision or the. Loss and that's. Fine BUT i
do think that when you look at it is overall pitch.
Arsenal and this is where Again i'm telling, you, like
don't overreact, entirely say, hey we just saw five point

(34:06):
two innings of work that will be the version of
who he is for the rest of his. Career there
were some good, pitches multiple strikeouts with the, fastball multiple
strikeouts with a change, up multiple pitch counts to what
your favorite because of that change up is so frickin'.
Awesome now that's gonna be the backbnt of your of
his overall arsenal it. IS i think last night was

(34:28):
a clear indication that probably what we saw in spring
training was more of an outlier for a shortened. Experience
but that's the other thing that's.

Speaker 1 (34:36):
We got to throw out, Here.

Speaker 4 (34:37):
Guys we can look at spring training all the time
and say that there's, growth there's, maturity and there's a
lot of things that we are seeing there as promising
without throwing all of our eggs in the basket and
saying that is what we expect moving, forward AND i
was a victim of the, moment but so were, you
and so were many other people about what we saw
A Mike.

Speaker 1 (34:56):
Burrows burrows was.

Speaker 4 (34:58):
Legit he had a one fifty and, honestly who knows
if he stayed in the game in his final appearance
two weeks, ago if he would have even given up
more than one. Run and so now we're talking about
a guy with an era of what zero point eight
nine a, whip a point two eight.

Speaker 1 (35:18):
Sixteen.

Speaker 4 (35:18):
STRIKEOUTS i, mean you would have said the exact thing
THAT i, Said top two picture on your. Squad definitely
a future star in the, making not asking to be your,
race but certainly believe that there is so much hope
and potential.

Speaker 1 (35:31):
For his role in the.

Speaker 4 (35:32):
Future that's somebody that you think is going to end
up being a focal point for your.

Speaker 1 (35:37):
Team and so not because of.

Speaker 4 (35:39):
One bad game where you Allow Mike, trout one of
the greatest hitters of his, generation to go yard on,
you just like Aj, bluebaugh who was awesome up until
that point and even after that, point got ava jam
and was able to make it. Work you take away
that home, Run you take away The Josh Josh lowholme
run gotten to some bad, luck some, bloops some terrible

(36:01):
walks at the most ill advised times, possible a couple
of bad breaks that went into a favor of The
angels to get into scoring.

Speaker 1 (36:07):
Position but then on the.

Speaker 4 (36:08):
Flip, side you can say the exact same thing about
What Jay rod said when it came to the offensive
side of. Things, guys you're one of fourteen with rags
and scoring, position and the only reason why you're not
oh of fourteen is because of a pass ball and
a bad. Throne you gotta be better than. That AND
i think that that's where more SO i am More
i'm inclined to say the frustration comes after eighteen, innings

(36:30):
because Again i'm not gonna go ahead and sell my
socke entirely and say the season's lost and can't wait
for the next one hundred and sixty games where this
is gonna be pure chaos and The astros will have
their worst season since the days of the rebuild of
twenty eleven twenty.

Speaker 1 (36:44):
Twelve, LIKE i won't go to that, level BUT i
do think that we have.

Speaker 4 (36:48):
To go to some bit of the context that right
now this is not a record team that has improved
at All in one of the crucial moments that did
play a factor and then missing the playoffs this season.
Ago hitting with runners in scoring, position especially at the
bottom of the, lineup that is something that does concern,
me and it's going to concern me UNTIL i see a.

(37:09):
Turnaround it's gonna concern me that Yan Nor diaz right
NOW i can't trust to get a big time. Hit
it does concern me that whoever is playing in the nine,
Holeme Bryce, matthews Maybe Nick. Allen you could throw it
in At Shake myers if you get him called on
Up Zach, cole who did hit a home run in
his debut with The Space cowboys last. Night if they're
in the nine, hole it does worry. Me it does

(37:32):
that there's gonna be an easy. Out those are concerning,
things and UNTIL i see any growth in that, Standpoint
i'm gonna be at that. Level i'm not selling my
stock at. All and if you're An astros, fan neither should.

Speaker 1 (37:44):
You you just.

Speaker 4 (37:44):
Shouldn't there's still too many other positives that go with
this team to WHERE i think you're looking at an
eighteen inning sample size and already coming forward to your
conclusion like, okay AND i actually got out of comparison for.
THIS i do want to hear From brian on the phone.
Line here's we're going to. Do we have to get
a quick time. Out i'm gonna tell you my comparison

(38:05):
BECAUSE i do think that this is one that makes
a lot of sense.

Speaker 1 (38:07):
For This astros team more than anyone.

Speaker 4 (38:09):
Else we'll do that next right here On SportsTalk seven
Ninety space Say, Saturday Cole thomas and rock with you
until twelve. O'clock don't go anywhere you're gonna want to hear.
This take Next space Day. Saturday rolling right along here
on sportstock seven Ninety Cole, thompson rocking with S you's
up friends until noon seven one, three seven ninety is
the number to get in on the guest. Line we
do have tournament basketball tonight in The, City illinois Versus,

(38:30):
iowa though The Houston cougars have been eliminated in the
round of. Sixteen as for The, astros looking to get
their first win of the regular, season With Christian hobber
on the, Mound astros On deck starts at five o'clock,
tonight six.

Speaker 8 (38:42):
Ten.

Speaker 4 (38:43):
First pitch you can listen to that right Here On
sports talk seven ninety And. The rockets they win last
night Over. The, grizzlies however they want to continue their
winning ways by going down To The big easy tomorrow
for a tip off Against The New orleans pelicans seven
one three two one two five. Seven, ninety brian don't.
Go anywhere i'm gonna get you in, A minute. I
PROMISE so i really want to hear. Your take but
here's my take On the astros. Right now if you

(39:04):
are already selling, your stock if you've gone to the
level of you, Know what i'm done with this scene the.
LONG season i can't do. IT anymore i am absolutely
right away the. Right flag we're. Gonna suck it's gonna
be a. Terrible season how many of you remember the
first Season Of? The office greatest sitcom of? All, Time
corn Everyone that i've SPOKEN to i hate. THE show

(39:26):
i think it's an. OVERRATED show i think that every character.
Is annoying but apparently it is the greatest sitcom of.
All time how many of you remember the? First season
how many of you go back and watch the first
season Of, the office, like genuinely like you come out,
and say you, know what outside Of the Dundees.

Speaker 1 (39:44):
At chili's every other episode's. A masterpiece that was. Peak, television.

Speaker 4 (39:50):
Anybody guys the first season Of the office is so
bad people thought that.

Speaker 1 (39:55):
It should have.

Speaker 4 (39:55):
Been canceled, they did and, they, said, okay well let's
just through the. First season like when you tell people
to binge watch. The show they tell you all, The,
time hey just get through the. First season it's gonna.
Be long find a way to Deal with jim and
the shenanigans that are going on with Him and pam
and what you got With, with brian and what you
got with what you got with literally uh With with

(40:18):
creed and all the other.

Speaker 1 (40:20):
Side characters just deal. WITH them i.

Speaker 4 (40:22):
Promise you it'll get better by the time he gets,
season two and apparently, it hits and then by season
three you're in love with, the storyline and by season
four it is the greatest television show of.

Speaker 1 (40:32):
All time but imagine.

Speaker 4 (40:34):
If you just did not give them past the first,
eight episodes and, You know, I'm good i'll want to see.

Speaker 1 (40:40):
The show.

Speaker 4 (40:41):
It's terrible not the same thing With the astros eighteen
innings one of fourteen with the arts and, Scoring Position
mike burrows is a.

Speaker 1 (40:50):
Terrible pitcher he deserves to be in. The miners we
have nobody in the bullpen that we can trust are hitting.
His joke this who? We Are this matthew went? That way.

Speaker 4 (41:05):
You hear how aast ninety of these when you say it.
Out loud If the office can find a way to
get us act together by, season two the askers can
find a way to get its act together before the
end of the, first series which IS why i think that's.
To night think we'll Wom a christian hobbyer On the mountains, seven, one, three, two,
two five Seven, Ninety brian, good morning what's?

Speaker 3 (41:21):
Up man good, MORNING man A happy saturday morning.

Speaker 7 (41:26):
To you so.

Speaker 6 (41:28):
The quickest path back To The.

Speaker 3 (41:31):
Promised land for me and my take sure on this
team is merely. A rebuild we did, It once we
did it, ACTUALLY back I guess i would say In
The late night we've done, it twice both of which
equated to let's just call it a seven or eight
year run of relevance. And Prominence Four world, series appearances

(41:55):
the previous one culminated In A world, series appearance the
first one and. Oh four so we're over here and
we're messing AROUND with i call at this point the
nickname or Acronym that i've given our hometown team as
the Great, value astros the equate brand of. Baseball teams,

(42:19):
right now it shouldn't be, that case but. We are
if we go out and get rid of what we've
got similar to what we didn't have in twenty fifteen
or fourteen, or thirteen the horrible four seasons of ball
that we, all, remember well it's not that. Long ago

(42:39):
we got right back to where we wanted to ultimately
be with spring. Or pregnant trade these pieces off that
are of, extreme value get the, draft picks or get the.
COMPENSATION accordingly i Think The kyle tucker thing, was brilliant
and you get Your, cam smith you Get. Your hayden

(43:00):
of course he's obviously ON the io can't, control that
but that is Our quickest we're over here.

Speaker 6 (43:05):
Dabbling in.

Speaker 3 (43:08):
A market where you're not gonna compete With the dodgers.
On payroll whether they will or, they can't. They Won't
jim crane's not.

Speaker 6 (43:18):
Gonna go out about it.

Speaker 3 (43:19):
That Way dana brown is. Been good but at the,
same time if you go back to what is that,
seventeen EIGHTEEN nineteen i think It was Click. OR luno
i forget which one he pulled Off. Of erlander they're
grinky the, oh hell He's With. Garrett cole we're. Over here, You.

(43:45):
There mike in twenty we're just Not get we're, we're regressing.

Speaker 4 (43:51):
Not progressed, Hay, on mike, hang on. Hang on i'm
gonna put you on hold real fast because we were losing.
The connection, hang on let's, try again?

Speaker 7 (43:56):
All?

Speaker 1 (43:56):
Right ready three two? To one?

Speaker 4 (43:57):
Mikey, Back, Yes, Brian brian, my bad, my bad sorry, About?

Speaker 1 (44:02):
That brian, you ready?

Speaker 3 (44:04):
Gun, fish yeah so we're regressing as as as an.
Entire team twenty three You Get texas rangers take. YOU
out i think that was, a fluke but should have
been Our Last world series title Because the diamondbacks would,
have been, you know. A steamroll but baseball's baseball, twenty four,

(44:28):
twenty five you don't. Make it we're regressing, right now
there's no make no mistake. About it do the fire sell. Start,
over yeah the next three years are, gonna suck but
if history is, any teacher we're gonna be right back
where we need. To Be jim crane's gonna have all
of his, financial boxes boxes checked because he's not gonna.
RESIGN opinion i don't believe he's not gonna resign any

(44:52):
Of This, hunter brown forget it man frame From.

Speaker 1 (44:56):
Le Valdez jim crane's.

Speaker 3 (44:58):
Given us a peak to his, Playbook already Bregman's. Gone springer,
korea's back. Thank god that is the one outlier for
Me is korea And ow tovey and.

Speaker 7 (45:10):
Your die other, than that what do, we? Got man
what do?

Speaker 3 (45:14):
We got we've got a string of, great value equate
possible good uh talent with the. Wrong MANAGEMENT and i
just think it's a. Dumpster FIRE and i think our
quickest way back to The promised land is a. Fire
Sell and i'm willing to walk that plank with a
sword at my back and and and go over the ballot.

Speaker 4 (45:35):
The, ship okay not not to cut, you off but
you're Willing to you're willing to stand on business, and
say let's, go ahead end. It now four or. Five
years we're gonna stink. We're back and, then, no, no
no we're. Gonna stink we're gonna be. So bad we're
Gonna Be washington national's. Level back we're gonna be that.
Level back you want to stand on.

Speaker 1 (45:56):
That take.

Speaker 3 (45:59):
If it means getting back to where everybody is with
respect to everybody's frustration.

Speaker 7 (46:04):
Right, now absolutely we watched it all year.

Speaker 4 (46:06):
LAST year i, commend. YOU sir i commend you. That
ONE now i completely disagree. With YOU will i commend
you for stating.

Speaker 1 (46:13):
ON it i.

Speaker 4 (46:15):
COMPLETELY did i one thousand percent cannot tell. YOU more
i disagree, with you but you, KNOW what i appreciate
the fact that you are standing on business with that
round of applause, for, you dude like. The Fact and
i'm saying, THIS respectfully i, really AM because i think
that most people they see. Your point and maybe maybe
you get Me to june and they're thirty games under.

Speaker 1 (46:35):
Five hundred i'll have a conversation. ABOUT this.

Speaker 4 (46:37):
I will but but there's no way that this city
is ready for. A rebuild nobody in the city is
ready to. Handle that so, you ARE which. I can that's,
recommending you commending you that your brain is ready to.
Get there nobody in, the CITY and i, promise you
nobody is going to actually agree with that take when it.
ACTUALLY happens I got i pushing back.

Speaker 1 (46:56):
ON that i.

Speaker 4 (46:57):
APPRECIATE you i really knew we're up. Against it i'll
give you, Five, SECONDS okay i give you.

Speaker 3 (47:02):
Ten seconds go, hey man yeah, So all, I'm yeah
i'm ready to dial on that heel and, this team
what they've done over the last, ten years should not
have to.

Speaker 6 (47:14):
Do that but the fan base.

Speaker 3 (47:15):
Will be better off And Appreciate jim crane more as
the owner if we stopped this mediocrity that we've. Come
to we don't. Expect Mediocrity jim crane doesn't. Expect mediocrity
So that i'm out.

Speaker 4 (47:26):
ON that I appreciate brian listen completely one. Thousand percent
cannot go. Further away disagree with, that TAKE but i
commend People like brian who are willing to stand on
business come on the year at, seven, one three, two
five seven ninety and state, their case because maybe.

Speaker 1 (47:42):
That is going to be.

Speaker 4 (47:43):
The case seven One, three adrian where'd? YOU go i
need to call back. In brother oh my, good deal
That's what THAT'S what i want. To hear, all right
take a quick time out when we. COME back i
want to get Into some rockets conversation because they did win. Last,
night uh how do you feel? About IT because i
have a different way to probably the. Most too we'll
do that mech coming up on another hour Edition Of
spasically saturday right Here On sports stock, Seven, ninety patree.

Speaker 1 (48:02):
Do you gotta call?

Speaker 4 (48:02):
That?

Speaker 1 (48:03):
GAME bro i didn't need to go to, that level But.

Speaker 4 (48:06):
So frankie frankie did everything in his power to.

Speaker 1 (48:08):
Make sure he gave you a.

Speaker 4 (48:08):
Shout out see you might be called back In On Space,
city saturday right Here On sports talk, seven Ninety, Sup Friends,
cole thompson rock with you, until noon and then we're
gonna get a quick time out and then we come
back at. Five o'clock we're Gonna have astros on deck
As Your houston astros look to get their first win
of the regular season Over The Los, Angeles Angels christian
javier making his debut in twenty. Twenty, six meanwhile you

(48:33):
Have the rockets coming off of a double digit win
last Night in memphis Against, the grizzlies And You're.

Speaker 1 (48:39):
Houston, cougar's well the. Season's over there is a.

Speaker 4 (48:42):
Game tonight it's Between The iowa hawkeyes And the illinois fighting.
A liney i'm gonna spare you. The trouble i'll just
tell You as i've looked into, The future illinois is
gonna win, this game so like you can go ahead and.
PAY attention i think that it will be a good
matchup Between two big ten teams that nobody in the
city cares about because we have no core relation To.
The midwest But still ben McCollum Versus, brod underwood one

(49:04):
of those two is going To the, final FOUR and
i believe it is going to be The fighting allie
n seven one three two one two five seven ninety
is the number to get On.

Speaker 1 (49:11):
In adrian you might be calling back on in. A second,
all right let's Talk.

Speaker 4 (49:15):
Some rockets cause there is something that we have to
go ahead and discuss regarding last night's Win. So houston
while they ended up playing with their food and it
was a little bit too close, for conference, at times
a win is, a win and after the two losses
that you had this past Week, in chicago and definitely
the one that you Had on wednesday night Against The,
minsiar timberwolves you'll take a win however you can. Get

(49:38):
it duran scores twenty five points and leads a fourth
quarter push to a one, to nineteen one to oh,
nine victory and Now the rockets are only a half
game Back of minnesota for with the five seed In
The western. Conference standings and what's so interesting about all
this IS that i think there's two crossroads that were
out when it Comes.

Speaker 1 (49:55):
To, rockets FANS and i don't know which one is.

Speaker 4 (49:57):
Actually RIGHT so i really want your pa on this
ONE because i just want to know how to do
this show, moving forward and not only, this one but
the ONE that i Do With dan matthews from six
to ten in the morning on weekdays right Here ON
sports sax. Seven Ninety the rockets are a. Playoff team
i'm just gonna put that out there. Right now there's
no shot that they are not playing in. The postseason
now there is a shot they aren't playing in the

(50:19):
first round and that they are going to have to
play in the play. In tournament that still is. A
possibility i. Don't know they're currently the. Sixth seed there's
still a game Back. Of minnesota they need to win
Against the, pelicans tomorrow who have already been eliminated from the.
Postseason conversation, in fact we already know that the ten
teams that are going into the Play in tournament are

(50:39):
set In The. Western conference so. That's done deal they have,
to win and they have to Hold that minnesota finds
a way. To lose but there's two trains of. Thoughts
here the first is is That the rockets a win
last night shows you that even when there are some,
laxadaisical moments when things are, going good things are. Going
Good kevin durant dropping twenty five, Points Thing jabari smith

(51:01):
having sixteen rebounds is a. Good Thing Watchin tari easton
actually play consistently from around the court and shoots get,
sixteen points six to fourteen for the field one. Of,
SIX again i only's even taking thirty six six three,
point shots but he. Got ONE so i guess that
that's a winn. In itself you'll. Take it that's. A win,
and yes it was still a lackluster overall offensive performance

(51:25):
to where you, ask yourself who the hell is putting
up one hundred and nine points on THIS d i
mean with, This, offense.

Speaker 1 (51:32):
Tiven how Bad the rockets.

Speaker 4 (51:33):
Defense is it's more so who's doing it against? This
offense name the star that you're looking At for memphis
and saying that guy's. Dropping thirty his Name Is oliviel
Masay prosper he is GONNA be i think a focal
point for them, moving forward because in twenty nine minutes
he had thirty. One points he was four or five,
from downtown he was twelve to fifteen for, the field
he had. Seven rebounds he was like. A star i

(51:56):
think You Throwing, gg jackson who at the time before
the end of the first quarter had a killer three
point shot That brought memphis within two and still made
it a little bit TOO and i mean made it
interesting and close. FOR comfort i mean like that to
me is where you're probably saying it as a womit,
Like still i'm looking At this rocket Team and, I'm,

(52:16):
like okay did your? Opinion change would be THE way
i would, put it like after last, night's game do
you feel different? About them THAT'S where i think we
are at, the crossroads because on, one hand win's. A
win you go get another Win Against, New orleans you're
coming back home Against, the knicks and you're saying, to,
yourself yeah but we feel.

Speaker 1 (52:36):
PRETTY good i.

Speaker 4 (52:37):
Feel like that we're at least trending in a positive
direction for. The postseason we're probably gonna get at least
a top. Five seed you would have had a top.
Five seed if you Just beat minnesota and held on
to a thirteen, point lead that wasn't the differential Of
having timberwolves with a bunch of backups come on in
and hindle business. Against you that is my two cents.
Of it that's neither here. Nor there the Other factor

(53:03):
i'm looking as do you think that it's that your
opinion needed, a change because here's what you, can say
a win is, a win but then you don't look
at the metrics with that gets my. Drift here he
still had. Fourteen Turnovers kevin durant had three. Bad turnovers
one of us inside the paint should have been an.
Easy bucket instead it went the. OTHER way I Think

(53:25):
walter clayton was able to get a slam on down
he missed, the shot which again that tells you more
about the epitome of where you are If you're memphis than.
Does that bad about anything with, the rockets but still
Bad Breaks, toabari smith he had. FIVE turnovers i called
him the player of the game, last NIGHT and i
still stand by that because of getting sixteen rebounds was,
really important especially the fact that you were.

Speaker 1 (53:44):
Able to out rebound them fifty seven.

Speaker 6 (53:46):
To.

Speaker 4 (53:46):
Thirty nine so getting nineteen more second CHANCE opportunities i
think was a.

Speaker 1 (53:50):
Big deal but still it's a.

Speaker 4 (53:52):
Bad look the pick and, roll screens you, were running
you were, having miscues you were having really bad. EXECUTION offensively,
i mean when you still say it's, a win it's.

Speaker 1 (54:02):
A win yeah. It is but do you feel like
that that's.

Speaker 4 (54:06):
Changing the way that you Would view houston, taking On
Say los angeles in the first round of. THE playoffs
i don't Like Last science game does nothing for me when, it,
says Hey The. Lakers, houston YEAH now i Think the
rockets are gonna. Win, seven no doesn't. IT shouldn't i
think That the rockets are a barri team than what we.
ARE witnessing I definitely i think that the problems need

(54:27):
to be. CORRECT in i definitely think that there are
things that right now you're just, asking yourself is this who?

Speaker 6 (54:31):
We?

Speaker 4 (54:31):
Are YEAH but i do think to a certain degree.

Speaker 1 (54:39):
That this Is a rockets team.

Speaker 4 (54:40):
Of uncertainty and the ONLY thing i think that we
are kind of certain about is knowing that these type
of performances against underwhelming teams are more of a common
thing that we want. To admit that's, just it like
going into tomorrow's Game Against, NEW orleans i Think the rockets.
WILL win i think that they will be able to

(55:01):
come back home and they'll sit with forty five victories on.
THE season i think that they'll be gaining ground In
The western. CONFERENCE standings i think that they'll be putting
more of a gap between Them and phoenix to avoid
the play.

Speaker 1 (55:10):
IN tournament i think all those things. ARE true. I do.

Speaker 4 (55:15):
I also think as of, right now doesn't mean that
they're gonna win, by fifteen and if, they do it's
gonna be a. Sloppy fifteen like here comes the, fourth
quarter they're only up, by six they're only up, by
four and then they go on a run where it's
back back three's From Say, kevin durant maybe get a
good shot or Two From, reach shepherd And Then amen
thompson drops a bucket to go ahead and make it

(55:35):
a fifteen. Point differential like that's the way the game's.
Gonna go THAT'S how, i think and IT'S okay i think.
THAT way i think it's the only way you can't think.
Right now So where i'm hat With the rockets is
last night's win was. A win you can go ahead
and use that as advanced because of again just for,
morale purposes and even Am men thompson said it was
important to get a win simply because of every victory
accounts when it comes to, postseason seating and. IT does,

(55:57):
i mean you're only a game Back, of minnesota two
games Back. Of denver you're only technically four games BACK.
OF la i don't know if you're Gonna, catch la
but still you're only four. Games back so even though
you're sitting as a, six seed you could know away
already make it up to the three seed because the
wins happen and other, teams lose which gives you.

Speaker 1 (56:15):
The Advantage but i'm not gonna sit here and act.

Speaker 4 (56:18):
Like that last night's win that still was filled with
a multitude of, missed opportunities, bad execution, terrible shots, careless
turnovers really really really lackluster play designs, and concepts and.

Speaker 1 (56:35):
No defense that my opinion.

Speaker 4 (56:38):
Has, changed Yeah the rockets are still gonna be a
team that will be in, the POSTSEASON and i still
think right now they're a team that will lose Within
six THAT'S what i saw.

Speaker 1 (56:46):
Last night doesn't mean it can't be, turned.

Speaker 4 (56:48):
Around but that feels more like a common scene that
we're so accustomed to seeing than.

Speaker 1 (56:53):
Anything Else maybe.

Speaker 4 (56:55):
I'm wrong you can tell me at seven one three
ninety take quick time out when we. COME back i
want to talk About the cougar's. Season's Over kelvin sampson
said something that was, really INTERESTING and i think it's
some people are gonna take it a thet the. Wrong
way i'm just gonna tell you my thoughts on where
we are with what's going On For. Tita center doesn't mean,
it's bad just means you may have to teeter. Some

(57:17):
expectations we'll discuss that More. On Space, say saturday coming
up next ready Here On sports talk Seven.

Speaker 1 (57:22):
NINETY Space a saturday rolling right along.

Speaker 4 (57:24):
Here On sports talk Seven Ninety, cole Thompson, sup friends
rocking with you until noon seven, one two one two
five seven Ninety Your Houston cougar's we're gonna talk.

Speaker 1 (57:32):
About them in.

Speaker 4 (57:32):
A minute they are done for the twenty twenty six
season after losing in the round Sixteen. To, illinois illinois
though does play to Night against iowa for, a shot
had a Trip to indianapolis in the. Final, four Meanwhile
The houston rockets they do win, last night finally ending
a two game losing streak now Beating The. Memphis grizzlies
they are now a half game out of, SIXTH place

(57:53):
i mean fifth place In The western, conference standings And,
you're astros they were looking to get their first one
of the. Regular season, right here you can listen to
the Game On sports talk. Seven ninety astros pregame starts at.
Five O'clock Christian hovey year on. The mound thank you
for listening to. The show you can always Listen To
sports talk, seven ninety whether that Be The, Morning Drive Matt,
thomas Show was ross, the Eighteen, the Nightcap or Space

(58:14):
a Saturday With Yours Truley cole thompson at wherever. You
are when you Download the, iHeartRadio app you can also
download the podcast Where every gigs podcast listening system seven,
one three two one two five. Seven, ninety all let's
go out to the. Phone, lines adrian?

Speaker 7 (58:27):
WHAT'S up? I?

Speaker 4 (58:28):
Did?

Speaker 8 (58:30):
All right what's going on?

Speaker 6 (58:31):
This morning have?

Speaker 8 (58:32):
WE done i was rolling back from meeting my, mobile pharmacist,
and uh that last caller almost had me vera off,
The road so we should just go ahead and. Scrap it.
We're regressing blah.

Speaker 2 (58:45):
Blah.

Speaker 4 (58:46):
BLAH again i, told, YOU man i could not be
further away from him. ON that i respect the hustle
that he wants to go down, that PATHWAY but i
cannot disagree.

Speaker 1 (58:53):
EVEN more.

Speaker 8 (58:57):
I hate to, tell him but this isn't a triple or.
A double this is Our major league. BASEBALL team i understand, your,
Frustration bro. Believe me holdill. Tell you if anybody understands,
your frustration. It's, me okay but. Scrap it, come, On
man hunter just didn't get. Run support he labored. Five

(59:19):
innings it's his first game of. The season let's slow that,
talk Down. MISTER burrows a couple of pitches were. Mistakes
yesterday you anybody makes that Mistake to trout and it's
gonna Look Like barry bonds hit. The ball, come, on
man and we all know. This offense We Traded ray
Charles For. Stevie wonders as far as, hitting, coaches okay we.

(59:43):
Understand that but sooner, Or Later dream crane's gonna ring
that telephone because he knows how we like it. Around
here he knows team does. No good his bank account.
Stops moving, slow, down bro, slow down go ahead and
put the bush light down and go ahead and pick

(01:00:05):
up Some bud light OR some modelo for.

Speaker 7 (01:00:07):
The weekend so you think.

Speaker 1 (01:00:08):
This guy Is from so you think This.

Speaker 4 (01:00:10):
Guy's nebraska he came on down for the tournament because
he's got that bush light taste in. HIS mouth i.

Speaker 7 (01:00:16):
THINK so i.

Speaker 8 (01:00:17):
Think SO and i think he Wanted the cougars to
win just so he could stay a. Little longer so
he's upset. With us but, slow, Down bro we're all
upset about, that too except, for me because They, beat
MAAGGIE so i call.

Speaker 5 (01:00:30):
It redemption but.

Speaker 8 (01:00:33):
Slow down EMI's, Coming up christian's. COMING up i.

Speaker 6 (01:00:38):
Ain't seen christian in.

Speaker 8 (01:00:39):
A while don't ruin.

Speaker 4 (01:00:40):
My.

Speaker 8 (01:00:40):
Game today my mobile pharmacist charged me a little extra
thanks to. Y'all's potus but that's another book for. Another
Decade relax this weekend coal will. Relax you other, than
that if you don't want, to relax you can go
Back to nebraska and we'll give You the. Ramsey bolt
it just feeds you to the. Hounds cold let's work

(01:01:03):
on that three.

Speaker 1 (01:01:04):
Hour show, AH god i love the Fact that Adrian
watches Game. Of Thrones.

Speaker 4 (01:01:09):
Oh god by, the way the, Most, deserve adrian don't call,
back in but you can just message me if you
watch Her on twitter At Mister cole thompson or At
sports sux Seven, ninety frankie did You watch Game?

Speaker 1 (01:01:19):
Of thrones were you into?

Speaker 7 (01:01:20):
THE show i.

Speaker 4 (01:01:21):
Did watches the most deserving death of all Time Is.
Ramsey bolden, oh yeah in any, single platform in any
single group of, media content the most. Deserving, death sorry
it's been. Ten years i'm gonna spoil the show. For
you he does not make it Past the battle Of.
The bees he, does not and it happens in the
most glorifyingly fantastic WAY that i think anybody could sit

(01:01:42):
there like it's it's it's gruesome as, All hell, and
if like you're a Fan, of gore you'll.

Speaker 1 (01:01:47):
Love it if you're not a Fan, of.

Speaker 4 (01:01:49):
Gore knowing the story of how villainous, this evil decrepit
son of a, gun is you also will.

Speaker 1 (01:01:57):
Enjoy it you'll, sit back.

Speaker 4 (01:01:58):
Crack up with a couple, of popcorn open, an eye,
and say you know what he?

Speaker 1 (01:02:01):
Deserved, it yeah that he, Was terrible like you know
that you are so bad.

Speaker 4 (01:02:07):
As it actually want to bring this up with, you
Too because i've Never asked frankie.

Speaker 1 (01:02:10):
This question i'll get to that in.

Speaker 4 (01:02:11):
A minute, we again we do the show for two hours,
A day i mean two Hours, on saturday maybe three.
One day we gotta have. Some fun we gotta have. Some,
fun anyways you know that you have, MADE it i
think as a character when people openly tell you to
rot in the In the devil's den in public as.

Speaker 1 (01:02:32):
A person.

Speaker 4 (01:02:33):
Oh, wow yeah like the fact that he was getting.
ALL that i hate you so much for. Plague it
you know that you you killed it at. That role
you know that you were far and away the perfect
casting and you have delivered.

Speaker 1 (01:02:47):
Peak content when people are coming.

Speaker 4 (01:02:49):
Out of their way to tell you are a terrible
individual and they're throwing drinks at you and they're telling
you can't come into the establishment because of what you
did To The great, joy family you know how terrible
you are as, An, individual like you killed it at.
That part, AND honestly i thought he was the best
actor in the.

Speaker 1 (01:03:07):
Entire show mm, Oh yeah.

Speaker 4 (01:03:10):
I've never hated a person MORE and i hate him
as an actor because of how well He Played. Ramsey,
bolton yeah that's a. GOOD point i think that that's
what makes you such. A talent like such, TALENT actor
i individually. HATE you i cannot watch you in anything
else because the Entire time i'm festering over how big
of a terrible individual you are as, a person how

(01:03:33):
terrible of a person you were IN a tv show
that has nothing to do with, my life that has
nothing to do with, my society that has nothing to
do with, Your, Acting chops but the Only thing i'm
gonna associate you with is you and what you have
done to the realm Of The. Seven kingdoms you are
a horrible person and do not deserve a single bit
of happiness in, your career which IS why i respect
you as. AN actor i don't even remember. Your name seven,

(01:03:55):
two five Seven, Ninety okay cougar's talk. Real fast So
the cougars. Are out they will not be playing In
the round of eight tonight against Ill against iowa for
an opportunity to go Plague in indianapolis For a final.

Speaker 1 (01:04:06):
FOUR appearance.

Speaker 4 (01:04:09):
I Thought What calvin sampson said at the end of
his press conference talking about knowing your place and not
wanting to push someone out of the way when it
comes toys coaching is, really prevalent and he also mentioned
that this is a young man's game to, AN extent
i agree For Every calvin Sampson And, rick patino there
is a thirty eight year old or thirty nine year
old that's a not ready to start and embark on

(01:04:30):
their own pathway dealing with nil and transfer portal news
and countless players leaving school and dealing with the conversations
OF The, g league and the players wanted to get
back into college because of they averaged one point three
points with Say THE birmingham b fifty twos or whatever
the HELL The g league team is.

Speaker 1 (01:04:47):
Out there it's a young. MAN'S sport.

Speaker 4 (01:04:52):
I think at this point what people need to realize
is That While calvin samson may not have a lot of,
time left as long as he, IS here i still
will believe That the creers have. A shot but there
also needs to be the reality of the conversation that
is probably really important when it comes to the.

Speaker 1 (01:05:07):
UPCOMING season i would temper my.

Speaker 4 (01:05:10):
Expectations now i'm not saying, that you As a, cougars
fan should be sitting out here and not believing you
can go on a run Towards The. National championship and
finally cut down. The nets and why should you look
at the last, eight years look at what Happened since
calvin was going out of his way into cafeterias and
handing out flyers to make, It, clear yes we have a,
basketball team we got uniforms. And everything we're gonna go

(01:05:31):
ahead and show you why it's fun to Be a.
Cougars fan to where we. Are now how many times
have they gotten the number?

Speaker 7 (01:05:36):
One?

Speaker 4 (01:05:37):
Seed three how many weekends have they made it to
the final stage Of the saturday Or the sunday with
an opportunity to keep their season going a little?

Speaker 7 (01:05:46):
Bit?

Speaker 1 (01:05:46):
Longer? Five six how many times have they been in the?

Speaker 4 (01:05:49):
Final, four twice went to a national championship. Last year
we're a handful of plays away from cutting. Down nets
That's That's calvin sampson led. THE rosters i agree with
the first caller that called on.

Speaker 1 (01:06:04):
In things need. To change you need to add in
a little bit more.

Speaker 4 (01:06:08):
Offensive consistency you do because the thing that was so
prevalent in so many of the games that you lost
this year with. The droughts you had a drought when
you Played against tennessee Back In, las vegas you had
a scoring drout when you faced Off. Against iowa it
Allowed the cycles to come on. Back in you had
a scoring drought when it Came against arizona back home
At The. Fertida center you had a scoring drought when

(01:06:30):
it Came against arizona In The Big, twelve championship and
you had a scoring drout when you Played. Against illinois
you lost with sides as well in, that game but
you also lost with the inability to be able to
create second. Chance opportunities you were, out rebound you were
outworked inside, the paint and because, of that you allowed
other opponents to start to go. ON runs i Mean
the arizona game back when it Was At, forritida center
it was like a thirteen to. Nothing run On last

(01:06:52):
thursday Night At, toyota center fifteen to nothing to begin the,
second half you didn't score a point for six and a.
Half minutes you can't do that and expect to win.
Mini games so something needs to. Change offensively but the
THING that i will SAY that i think is why
my brain has been wrapped around why things are changing
or my expectations are for a Program, like houston really
comes down to the fact that right Now guys.

Speaker 1 (01:07:17):
Houston does not have.

Speaker 4 (01:07:18):
The veteranship one of the beauties Of What calvin sampson
has done and probably a big time reason Why the
cougars have been so poignant is they know for a
fact that they have, veterans returning guys that.

Speaker 1 (01:07:33):
You Trust emanuel sharp is a seventh.

Speaker 4 (01:07:35):
Year, senior, Yeah me And though susan coming back for,
another season he could, have gone probably, SAID no i
want to stick around for.

Speaker 1 (01:07:40):
Another year WHY.

Speaker 4 (01:07:40):
WOULDN'T i i think on top, of that you also
have to look at guys like what you Have With
marcus sasser in, the past what do you have WITHOUT
j i mean when you had a cryer in, The
past like guys. Like that there's players that you knew
they could go pro and they could end up BEING
A g league player that maybe ourage is fourteen mans
a night and three point, six points or they could
stick around to be a part of the culture that
has been implemented At For tita center that nobody can replace.

(01:08:03):
HIM one i think it's gonna stick around so long
as You Have kelvin samson at. THE charge, i do
but that veteranship allowed your younger guys to not have
to worry about being the superstar from, day one and
it's something that you don't have to worry about at
a Place like kentucky or at a PLACE like Unc,
or duke because, if yeah you're gonna have some, veteran
guys but for the, most part you're gonna have, the premier,

(01:08:24):
elite names the superstars that are only here for the next,
FORTY day i mean the next six months before they
go off and become a. Lottery pick and you aren't
always luxury to have that at your. Back court and so,
right now losing a news in and losing A, mangle
sharp do you have that veteran that you trust that
can go on in and BE the x factor for.

Speaker 1 (01:08:45):
Your team maybe he's not.

Speaker 4 (01:08:47):
Here yet maybe that's something that you gotta go hope
On that kelvin.

Speaker 1 (01:08:50):
Will find in the.

Speaker 4 (01:08:50):
Transfer portal and the good news is is that so
Long as houston Does have calvin at, THE helm i
Think the cougars will be a primetime destination for kids to.
TRANSFER to, i DO but i also know that this
season and last season were two years that it. Felt
different you can always have, GOOD offense, i mean you
can always have good, defensive PLAY and i think you
should expect that underneath the Guy Like. HELVIN sampson, i

(01:09:12):
do but there are SOME things i think you're going
to need to change on up if you want to
see at least a little bit more of an ending
that has differed for the last. Eight years not saying
That The houston cougars will, fall short just saying that,
Right now i'm not believing going into twenty, twenty six
it's a year that you're going to see them be
the favorites In the. Big twelve and that could, be

(01:09:34):
wrong and maybe that's a, good thing because when sometimes you're,
the underdog you end up having a lot. More success
seven one thirty two one two five seven nine to
take a quick time out and we. Come Back michael
shapiro from cron dot com go to join us to
talk About, the Rockets the, corugar's upset and what to
expect moving into the last twelve games of the regular
Season At. Toyota center that more on A Space, Sway
Saturday sports talk Seven ninety Next Pay. Say saturday rolling

(01:09:55):
right along Here On sports talk seven ninety, Step Friends
cole thompson rock with you for about. Thirty more we
will be back Later for Astro's pregame Astros on deck
with yours truly making his debut on the show As
the astros look to get a win Over The Los.
Angeles angels that starts at five o'clock and then, of
course first pitch at.

Speaker 1 (01:10:14):
Six' Ten your houston.

Speaker 4 (01:10:15):
Rockets, win last night double digit Victory Over. The memphis
grizzlies and for, more on that let's go out of
the phone line to talk to our friend From, Cron Dot.

Speaker 1 (01:10:23):
Com, michael shapiro michael let's just get this out. Of
the way it was a.

Speaker 4 (01:10:27):
TEN point win a win's a win after What, happened
against minnesota after being down by Plus twenty against chicago
and finding a way to come on back and still
losing in That one Because colin stepts sexton drogh twenty five.
Off the bench you'll, take a win but it was.
A sloppy, win i mean if you're giving, this a
grede it's like probably. A sea performance and it doesn't
change my opinion On where the rockets stand going into The.

Speaker 1 (01:10:48):
Month Of, APRIL right.

Speaker 7 (01:10:50):
No i Don't think beating memphis in the spring really means.
Much of, ANYTHING right now i will Say, FOR the
rockets i think it's a booed, stabilizer IF anything and
i think the next couple of weeks will be a.
Nice Palette cleanser the rockets have a pretty easy schedule.
Down the stretch they might end with maybe the rockiest
fifty win season. In franchise history but when you look

(01:11:11):
to what this is going to be, in the postseason
Especially with No, fred van Vleet With, no stevid adams
it's still a. Pretty flawed Group and the rockets had.
Such high expectations it's still looking like round one and
Out or maybe round. Two and Out and the minnesota
game really kind of crystallized that for a.

Speaker 1 (01:11:27):
Lot of People so, the minnesota game let me ask
you what?

Speaker 4 (01:11:30):
Went wrong there because if you're, up By thirteen and
i've talked to some people around and they've said that
it felt like that, very early on they were just
playing lots, of days ago And That's when dalantaevi vincenzo
started to get a little bit of. A rhythm going
and then by the time they got, their act, together too,
little too late and that led to the biggest comeback.

Speaker 1 (01:11:46):
In overtime history.

Speaker 4 (01:11:48):
But, in my hand this has been the Norm of
the rockets on multiple occasions where you feel like all
you have to do is just hit the nail in
the coffin and end. It right there but it's like
a Toddler playing, with it's true like eventually they're going
to get, the job done but it's going to take
forty five manage what. Should take three.

Speaker 7 (01:12:06):
We've seen this kind of persistent late game Issue for
the rockets over and. Over this Season It's anytime kevin,
durant sees pressure he's double teamed near mid court late,
in The game the rockets are really. A turnover machine
i think part of That Is on kevin durant, for not,
being you know. The excellent playmaker he is one of
the greatest scorers, of all time but he is not a.
TRUE point guard i think a lot of That is

(01:12:27):
On alpa and shngdun And the men thompson not making
perfect plays in the. Pocket in, SPACE but again i
hate to keep coming, BACK to this i think so
much of the rockets struggles come down To Not Having
fred van vlee. On the floor he was. Their point
guard he. Is a Stabilizer if the. Rockets had, Him
Right now kevin durant, would get doubled Get it To,
fred van vlee and the machine would start for easy

(01:12:48):
bucket After, easy bucket, instead right. Now they're freezing they're
mentally Melting, down whenever, durant you. Know is doubled and
that's the persistent problem that is not going TO be.
FIXED i, think i.

Speaker 4 (01:12:59):
Mean the turnovers, have been issue and, even last, night
you know you have fourteen turnovers where three of them
two of which were inside THE.

Speaker 1 (01:13:05):
Paint by kd. It feels inexcusable.

Speaker 4 (01:13:08):
It's not the only reason, why you're struggling but, it
feels inexcusable and, in my opinion the thing that worries
me the most for any playoff series getting out of.
The first round doesn't matter who you face off against
the ill advised turnovers because the players are playing.

Speaker 1 (01:13:21):
Out, of position.

Speaker 7 (01:13:23):
Right let's kind of talk about what we expect that playoff.
Matchup to, be Right, now the rockets they're not firmly
entrenched in the, number six seed but that. Is Very
Likely The los angeles lakers are the very. LIKELY three,
seed i mean is that something you are excited About as?
THE rockets fan i think you would rather probably Play The,
obviously Oklahoma City. Obviously san antonio it's not, a TERRIBLE

(01:13:44):
job but i think after seeing those two Games where
the lakers Really whooped The Rockets, at toyota center it's
not Even a matchup houston fans really. Want RIGHT now
and i think. That's Pretty Fair.

Speaker 4 (01:13:53):
He's michael shapiro to get to check out his work at. Cron,
dot com okay let's go to the game that We
saw on Thursday Night at toyo Center when the, rockets
weren't here but the Other team in houston was really
bad offensive performance in the first half. By Both sides
kingston fleming gets the shot, off and, surprisingly you know
you're only down by Two to an alliani team that

(01:14:13):
wins besides, wins of physicality they also win, by having methodical.
Long standing drives they, missed some shots and, You, think
that okay only, Down By two kingston fleming is starting
to get in a little bit.

Speaker 1 (01:14:24):
Of a rhythm we come out in the.

Speaker 4 (01:14:25):
Second half strong houston has a chance to move on
And play against iowa for A, trip to indianapolis and
then the same things that we saw against top Ten,
teams like arizona top Ten Teams like Iowa state and
kansas were on display long standing droughts. Of offensive inconsistencies
the other team starts to, Gain A rhythm calvin sampson,
calls a timeout six minutes without a point and it

(01:14:46):
starts feels like the beginning. Of the end what went wrong,
in your opinion to start Things off against illinois in
the round Of, sixteam for houston.

Speaker 7 (01:14:54):
It feels like it was the same Problem that the
koops could run unto a lot this year is they had,
One Real. CREATOR kingston Flemings I think Ulis Susan and
emmanuel sharp are more shooters than there's. Not TRUE playmakers
kingston i think is a. FANTASTIC college player i think
will be a, very good pro but he just had
so much pressure on Him from. The illinois defense houston

(01:15:14):
and have, the proper spacers. The proper playmakers in previous
years they could kind of dumped the ball down. To
easy buckets they couldn't do. That this year there was
just no. Real Easy Offense AND kingston flumbings i thought played. A.
VALIANT game again i think he's going to, be a,
good good pro but it just was too much on
his shoulders against the team That also in illinois was
starting heat up with multiple, scorers and playmakers and they

(01:15:36):
just Kind of smuther.

Speaker 1 (01:15:37):
Houston from there let me get.

Speaker 4 (01:15:38):
Your, opinion ON this because i was very adamant going
into the week That after what houston did and how
great they Looked offensively Against IDAHO and TEXAS. A and
m i get it Tie head To HOE in TEXAS.

Speaker 1 (01:15:47):
A and m but the.

Speaker 4 (01:15:48):
Fact that we, saw that, version you know if this
is the one that We, get against illinois they're going
to be in a first place standing spot towards. The
FINAL four and i think so much that they can
go Play In. THE national championship i dumble, down And,
SAID the illinois i think is the one team that
will present the most problems for any team left in the,
in the bracket and they're gonna Be In the national championship.

(01:16:11):
If they win when when you Look at that illinois
team and what they have But basically a olympic roster
field of under eighteen players On the Squadron CHAMPAGNE for
eastern Europea For the, eastern european side do you walk, Away,
and say okay we just witnessed.

Speaker 1 (01:16:25):
What should be a team that's Playing In. THE national Championship.

Speaker 7 (01:16:28):
I think illinois very well Might Be a national championship
representative that might be a throwback to two. Thousand and
Five Shout, out luther Head Shout out Deep Brown. And,
darren williams right it's a pretty cool roster Right. Now
with Illinois They got mirkovich uyakovich And Of, course keaton
wagler who hit a. Few big Shots they face iowa
later this Evening Afternoon. AT toyota center i think they're

(01:16:50):
Going to handle. Iowa pretty. Well just personally, By The
way bennett's sturk is the hell, of a player but Kind,
of like houston he's kind of a. One man band seeing,
that UP close and i think we're going to have
the same. Situation happened, TONIGHT so Yeah i pencil illinois into.
The final four and If they Played, duke for yukon
they will only be a, very SLIGHT underdog and i
would say they would be a. Trendy upset pick so

(01:17:10):
shout OUT to any awaini Fans. HERE in houston i
think they might have. SOME fun tonight i think.

Speaker 1 (01:17:14):
They're gonna beat the Breaks. UP of iowa i. Mean
not listen and, by the way to two.

Speaker 4 (01:17:17):
DRASTICALLY different, games i mean you got two Guys, from
the midwest, all shooting threes and you got eighty four
points in the, first half combined and then you have
forty Four points For, houston and illinois where one team
had forty six points going.

Speaker 1 (01:17:29):
Into the half he's microsophere from.

Speaker 4 (01:17:31):
Crowd dot, com all right let me get your, Thoughts
on this houston going. Into this offseason you can't ever
rule them out because let's just call. It as this
You Still, have calvin samson but You Are, Losing milo
Susan You're. Losing Emmanuel sharp kingston flemings is.

Speaker 1 (01:17:48):
Going to end up being.

Speaker 4 (01:17:50):
A lottery pick so the veteranship is gone and the
one key. Playmaker is gone the transfer portal was a
beauty because if you're going to be able to. Bring
in talent but do you feel like that the Window
Of the calvin samson era where it was expected to
be National Title, contenders effortiva center that's slightly closing more
going into next going into the twenty.

Speaker 1 (01:18:11):
TWENTY seventh season i think that's.

Speaker 7 (01:18:14):
A great question and THE first thing i kind of
asked and my call him at the buzzer on. Cron
dot com, if not Now When, For KELVIN sampson and
i don't mean, this YEAR specifically but i think last
year when They Made, the national championship had a halftime,
lead and loss plus this year was kind of a
perfect two year window for him TO. Deliver at uh
now you lose basically three key Guards, Right, In uzan

(01:18:39):
Kingston Flubings. And emmanuel sharp that's basically their. Entire playmaking
load one thing that's been. A little Contested I Think
chris sinak junior will GO. TO the nba i think
he should GO to the nba. In turn pro there's
been some kind of conversation about. Him coming back he
said he will still have to make his decision talk.
To his family my guess is he could be a
lottery pick or kind of a team or, early twenty

(01:19:00):
six and he's going to be a pretty good pro.
In my estimation so that's, four big players and that's
the four leading Scorers for the tubes. That'll be leaving,
As you said samson's going to have. A GOOD program
but I, don't think houston at least in, my initial
read should be considered as much of a wagon next
year compared to the. LAST two seasons i.

Speaker 1 (01:19:18):
Get you out of. Here on this what are?

Speaker 4 (01:19:19):
You looking for not tomorrow Out In the big Easy
when the rockets Play, against the pelicans because, let's be
real they should. Win that game they'll should and could are.
Completely different words and that's why that they don't mean the.
Exact Same thing, but i'll say should they come on
home they close in The month of March Against The,
new York knicks the knicks one of the better Teams In.
The eastern conference what are you looking for in The
Return of Toyota Center?

Speaker 7 (01:19:39):
On, TUESDAY night yeah i want To see The Rockets
defend Jalen Brunson And. Karl anthony towns When You have
Reed shepherd And alburh and shengun on the four, together
right now it's kind of a defensive Disaster. For the
rockets it's something they need to Solve In the. Western
conference playoffs, and guess what this is a nice preview
with an, elite point guard, An elite center it's a
tough matter for the that's going to be. A close, Game,

(01:20:01):
so yeah sunday let them beat the Break off the
pelicans With tune and tuesday that next game is a
good Barometer. For, THE rockets okay i.

Speaker 1 (01:20:07):
LIED to you i have.

Speaker 4 (01:20:08):
One more question my bracket. IS completely busted i don't
know who to ride with for the rest. Of the
season so you tell me right now who's One Of
the national championship.

Speaker 1 (01:20:16):
In two weeks let's have some Fun.

Speaker 7 (01:20:19):
AND say illinois i think they. Have MULTIPLE playmakers maybe
i just saw, them UP close but I Just like
keith waggler and all the itches take Me, to The balkans.
As raft said so, LET'S go line.

Speaker 1 (01:20:29):
I why not I know. What I'm on i'm.

Speaker 4 (01:20:31):
I'M about it i think if they're Playing In, THE
national championship i think they're going To. Beat you ukon
so prom solved By the way Yukon is. Beating duke
tomorrow can you agree with me?

Speaker 7 (01:20:38):
ON that one I will say illinois will beat the winner.
Of that game?

Speaker 1 (01:20:42):
How about that you're.

Speaker 4 (01:20:43):
A Terrible person michael shapiro Joining Us on sports Talk,
seven ninety shapiro give him a follow. Cron dot com
he does great work over there covering all Of the. Greater,
Houston sports shapiro, you're. The best, Man appreciate, You.

Speaker 7 (01:20:54):
Thank you, cole. Appreciate you man take a.

Speaker 1 (01:20:56):
Quick time out when, We, COME back shannon i see
you on.

Speaker 4 (01:20:58):
The guest line we'll Close Out Another space city saturday
next and get You ready for Astros versus the angels
Right Here on sports talks seven ninety Special Thanks to
micro shapiro Joining Us On. Space City saturday give hi
him a follow on social media at. M chapter Two
It is cole thompson rock with you for a few
more minutes Right Here on sports. Talk seven ninety you

(01:21:19):
are gonna hear me though in about, like Five hours
because i'm gonna Be Back doing eddie, Astros pregame Show
astros on deck and the tenth ending show After We
see christian javi here Take On The. Los angeles angels
you can listen to the game Right Here on sports.
Talk seven ninety rockets win last night By, ten over
Memphis And. You're houston cougar's they are trying to hit
reset after falling short in the Round of Sixteen illinois

(01:21:41):
versus Iowa Today a toyota center if you want to
go catch that game, seven, to one three two, one two.
Five seven ninety, what to expect, By, the way shannon
if you are still There, out in katie please call back.
INTO the show i apologize for not. GETTING to you
i was up against it when it came to the
when it came, TO the.

Speaker 1 (01:21:57):
Clock i want to.

Speaker 4 (01:21:58):
HEAR from you i saw YOUR question and i want
to hear your opinion on what you believe is the
superstar that is A Budding.

Speaker 1 (01:22:06):
AT toyota center i want to.

Speaker 4 (01:22:07):
Hear from you so call back in a seven, Night
all RIGHT so what i want to see Tonight, From
the astros let's start. OFF with this i want to
see realistic expectations from fans when It Comes. To CHRISTIAN havi.
HERE i do i don't want to go down the
path of what we Just Did. With, MIKE burrows now,
i was very Very Outamant about mike burrows, being the
superstar and that was probably on me of why some

(01:22:29):
of the propaganda got to an.

Speaker 1 (01:22:31):
All time high. THAT'S on.

Speaker 4 (01:22:32):
ME i apologize i Do bajos to Mike pads the
ASTROS because of i probably should have said what we
saw in spring training was a glimpse of what, he
could be not what. He should be so phrasing in
context is. Really important here i've also seen enough people
talking about and A Lot, of astros twitter saying this
is The Version.

Speaker 1 (01:22:51):
Of christian hovier, He is. Back, he's back.

Speaker 4 (01:22:56):
Okay, keep in mind this is a guy Who's Dealt
with tommy john surgery and less than eighteen games in
the last. Two years combined let's have realistic Expectations tonight
for hobby or. On The mound what, i'm saying is
you want to see the strikeouts. Still be there you
definitely want to see the control and the command inside
the strike zone working Alongside with Either yaan Or Diaz,
or christian basquez and you want to feel like that

(01:23:18):
he has proven he is a quality part. OF the
rotation i Don't think what i'm going getting at is
just because he's the number. Three right now don't say
because if, he gives up he gives up three runs
and four. And two thirds that's why he can't be.
A number three the lineup, can be changed the rotation.

Speaker 1 (01:23:37):
Can be.

Speaker 4 (01:23:37):
Changed right now this is just a glimpse of what
we're getting going into.

Speaker 1 (01:23:40):
The regular season if.

Speaker 4 (01:23:42):
You feel like that's a c he might gives you
eight innings tomorrow and he's dominant and he delivers time after.
Time after time guess what he manned up being, your
Number two like burrows ends up being, A Number three
chris naby being. A number, four so like let's not
go into the standpoint of what we did Last, night
with burrows because he's coming in as, your number two
he's got to look the part of. A number two
i don't want to go. ON that pathway i want
to see control. OF the fastball i want to be

(01:24:05):
able to see guys who are in the five to
six to Seven Hole for los angeles players that are
not supposed to be adequately known for hitting dingers. Be
in Play Like if orge solaire zips one Over into, the,
crawford boxes okay, So, Be it lissen he's.

Speaker 1 (01:24:20):
Done it before it's not the.

Speaker 4 (01:24:21):
End of. All Be All if mike trout Looks Like
vintage mike, trout once again IS not. THE nlb all
i don't want to See Like a yoan moncata consistently.
GET on base i don't Want to see logan o'
hoppy find a way TO get a rbi double because
of it is a sinker that is just hanging a little,
Bit TOO high like i want, to SEE that and
i think that's. A fair assessment i want To see
the astral score at least two runs with the runners.

(01:24:42):
In scoring position i'm not talking about. A HOME run do.

Speaker 1 (01:24:45):
I Want To see jordan goo deep with the four, Hundred,
YARD blast. Yes.

Speaker 4 (01:24:48):
I do do i Want To see jeremy pana find
a way to be able to slice one down the
left field line and put It in.

Speaker 1 (01:24:53):
The crawford.

Speaker 4 (01:24:54):
BOXES absolutely do i want to see eastside perees make
me feel smart about why you kept them.

Speaker 1 (01:24:59):
On the, TEAM hell. Yeah i, Do who doesn't.

Speaker 4 (01:25:02):
Seriously WHO doesn't but i want To see the astros
hit with the arson scoring position and. Play small, BALL
and honestly i think that right now everybody in the
city wants, to expect that BECAUSE that's where i have.
MY question marks i Don't Doubt that christian walker is
going to send one over The. RIGHT field feds i
don't doubt that you're going To See your don alvarez

(01:25:22):
walk three bases in a span of forty. TWO plate
appearances i. DON'T doubt THAT i don't i doubt that
you're gonna be able to hit with the guy on
second and third with two outs and you have a
one to two count and you got choke up On
the BAD that's. What i fear, through Eighteen innings the
astros are one of Fourteen with the, rogerson scoring position
and they've yet to drive in a run. With the

(01:25:44):
hit the only way the run came was because of
a base running decision and a really Bad thrill From.

Speaker 1 (01:25:51):
Logan to hobby that's why they were one in fourteen and.
Not ZERO fourteen so i want.

Speaker 4 (01:25:56):
To see it it's kind OF like how i Felt
about the texans going into the third game of. The
regular season so if you guys didn't know actually going
into the fourth game of the rate, Of the season
so if you guys didn't know Up until, The tennessee
game houston was ozer of twelve inside the red zone
when it came. To scoring touchdowns that's what kind of
feels like when it Comes. To the astros they're. One
of fourteen you'll want to be able to see, them

(01:26:17):
drive somebody anybody. Into home plate could be A Single From,
jose al tuve could be A Liner from carlos korea
down the gap for a. Double BASIS clearing but i
just want to see them you have any bit of
consistency when it comes to hitting with runners, in, Scoring
position anything it could even be.

Speaker 1 (01:26:39):
A sack fly i.

Speaker 4 (01:26:40):
Don't really care as long as you're able to get
ninety feet closer to home and put a run.

Speaker 1 (01:26:45):
On the BOARD that's what i.

Speaker 4 (01:26:46):
Care about tonight and you should, feel pretty confident at
least with the opportunity to do so because of the pitching.
Matchup You have christian haveyeer once again can end up
being one of the better pitchers and certainly one of
the better number Threes. In the lady And You got reed.
Debtors coming on detmer's. A left, hander last season we
all remember what he Did, for the angels remember what
he did over the last couple of over his last tenure.

(01:27:08):
With the organization so you should feel like. That right
now this is one of those games where you should.
Get your, advantages last season the three thirty, eight batting
average three hits, allowed to strikeouts more so used as.

Speaker 1 (01:27:22):
A long, ending RELIEVER guy.

Speaker 4 (01:27:24):
So i would expect the askers to be able to.
Get on pace there's also ONE more thing i want,
to SEE you and i just want to see it.
OUT of curiosity i would Like To see christian basquez
in the. Catcher physician tonight.

Speaker 1 (01:27:39):
Just want to see a little. Bit of Change doesn't mean.

Speaker 4 (01:27:42):
I'm, out on YER doesn't mean i Don't think that
yer can get his act together and that what we
have witnessed so far is.

Speaker 1 (01:27:46):
Could be bad just.

Speaker 4 (01:27:48):
Give me a little bit more when it comes to
a consistent guy at the plate or EXPECTATIONS of what
i have. FOR my catcher i Guess that's, where I'M
at and i guess that does it for Us Here On,
space dave saturday Right Here on sports. TALK seven ninety
i will be back in five hours talk to you about.
Astros and Angels, Up For, frankie western moorland for all,

(01:28:09):
of Our College.

Speaker 1 (01:28:10):
For Michael Shapiro. I'm cole thompson. Thanks for listening see. You,
next week peace