Steve Sparks: Astros 2-1 in KC, Tigers Preview sans Skubal

Nightengale: Astros to Be Buyers Not Sellers at Trade Deadline

Approaching July now, the legal tampering period in Major League Baseball is set to expire early at the beginning of August on the 3rd. Taking into account depth/injuries and gauging the direction to take before the deadline's expiration, the Astros waste no time declaring themselves 'buyers' when the deadline nears, with hopes of shaping up their roster for a run back to the postseason. Columnist for USA Today and insider for all things in the MLB, sports journalist Bob Nightengale joins Dan and Cole circling the latest on Houston's needs ahead of August's deadline, and potentially which players possibly could be on their way to Houston.

Astros Momentum: Steve Sparks on Tigers/Guardians Homestand & Trip to TOR

Approaching July, the Astros are still alive in the AL West division race as they continue to battle adversity, grinding out wins with minimal support at times due to the team's ongoing depth issue in some areas. Moving on now from their homestand against the Tigers and the Guardians, the Astros go on to pull 2 of the 3 games from both Detroit and Cleveland, now looking to roll up to Canada to take on the Toronto Blue Jays. Assessing Houston's trip back to Daikin, Astros broadcaster Steve Sparks joins in revisiting the Astros' now third series victory in a row, sharing some pointers on how the Astros can sustain this bit of a hot streak they've entered, carrying over into their series in Toronto against the Blue Jays.

Rookie OL Keylan Rutledge names Texans MOST HEATED Rival In Exclusive Interview

Who is the biggest threat to the Houston Texans in 2026? What's the one game that must be circled on the calender for the AFC South contenders this fall? And how quickly can the offensive line come together? Rookie offensive lineman Keylan Rutledge joins The Morning Drive to break down all of that and MORE as part of his new partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of America!

Lambert's 7-Inning Gem Leads Astros Past Tigers; Eyes Guardians Series Next

Moving on from their series against the Tigers to facing the Guardians coming to Daikin Park next, the Astros cruise by the Tigers, taking 2 of the 3 games from Detroit following Peter Lambert's phenomenal performance yesterday afternoon, carrying Houston over to a 4-2 win. With 7 innings pitched, 2 hits allowed, 5 strikeouts made, and allowing only 1 run to score, Peter's masterclass outing further closes the Astros' division gap, roughly 5 games from the division's top seed and 6 games from .500. With the day off and looking ahead to Houston's weekend series against Cleveland teeing off tomorrow, Dan and Cole take a moment revisiting yesterday's Game 3 with Lambert on the bump and share some positives taken from this Tigers' series Houston must sustain rolling over against Cleveland if they intend to stay in the division's race.

Dana Brown: Victory in KC, Hunter's Return, Tigers Game 3, & Cleveland

Moving on from their series against the Royals in Kansas City, Houston returns home to Daikin for their 6-game homestand, hosting the Detroit Tigers followed by the Cleveland Guardians. Taking the series win in KC and looking ahead to this afternoon's rubber match following Hunter Brown's return to the rotation yesterday, the Astros continue to show flashes of how liable they can be to make a run to the top of the AL West Division. Making his debut back, Hunter went on to pitch 5 innings, giving only 3 hits with 1 run allowed and a total of 7 strikeouts in his first outing since late March against the Red Sox. Down 2-1 but rallying late in the 8th, the Astros salvage a 4-2 victory with hopes of securing the series win this afternoon against Casey Mize on the bump for the Tigers. Revisiting their time in Kansas City, followed by Hunter's return from the IL, Astros GM Dana Brown highlights a few positives from some of the Astros' recent outings and the direction he believes Houston is headed in the coming weeks.