Stan Norfleet and Chris Gordy of Next Up review the Houston Astros winning nine of their last 11 games following a 9-4 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday to clinch the weekend series 2-1. First baseman Jon Singleton went 2-for-4 with two RBI and a walk Sunday. Singleton remained productive in the weekend series, recording five hits across 12 at-bats while also scoring a run. Singleton has started 18 of the last 19 games; however, general manager Dana Brown said José Abreu will play a few more minor-league games and could join the Astros in Oakland this weekend. Abreu was demoted to the Florida Complex League on May 1, and has since gone 2 for 9 with a double in two games, mostly working with the team's hitting instructors. If Abreu rejoins the Astros, will Singleton still receive most of the starts at first base?

Stan Norfleet of Next Up, alongside Dan Mathews of The A-Team and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show, react to the severe storms across Houston that have left over one million people without power. Prior to the final game of a four-game series against the Oakland Athletics, rain entered Minute Maid Park with 100 mph winds pushing debris outside the stadium. The Astros were able to start on time and eventually completed the series sweep against the A's, winning 8-1 Thursday. Cristian Javier started on the mound and recorded six scoreless innings with eight strikeouts, bouncing back after allowing seven runs and five hits in just over one inning in his first game back from the injured list Saturday. Rookie outfielder Joey Loperfido hit his first career home run in a six-run third inning. The Astros are on a five-game win streak and have gone 12-6 in the last 18 games, moving into third place in the AL West. John Hickman of Locked On Texans joins Stan in-studio to preview the Texans schedule and make predictions for the season.

Stan Norfleet and Chris Gordy of Next Up recap the Houston Astros defeating the Oakland Athletics 3-0 Wednesday at Minute Maid Park. The Astros have won three out of the four-game series against the A's and are on a four-game win streak. Framber Valdez started on the mound and threw seven scoreless innings. Seth Martinez pitched in the remaining innings to combine for a two-hit shutout. Cristian Javier will start on the mound Thursday for the final game of the series. Ronel Blanco was ejected before the start of the fourth inning Tuesday when the third base umpire found a foreign substance on his glove. Brian Bogusevic, former Astros outfielder and Space City Home Network analyst, joins to discuss Blanco receiving a 10-game suspension. The NFL released the regular season schedule, and the Texans begin their season on the road against a division opponent in the Indianapolis Colts. Houston Chronicle writer Jonathan Alexander joins to preview the Texans primetime games.

Houston Chronicle writer Jonathan Alexander joins Next Up to review the regular season schedule for the Houston Texans. The defending AFC South champions will begin their season on the road against a division opponent in the Indianapolis Colts. The Texans first primetime game will come in week two against the Chicago Bears on Sunday Night Football. "They should be able to get out to a fast start," Alexander said. The Texans have a late bye in week 14, and then face the Miami Dolphins, Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens back-to-back-to-back. "It really gets difficult in that second half." The Texans host the Ravens on Christmas Day and the broadcast will be on Netflix.

Brian Bogusevic, former Astros outfielder and Space City Home Network analyst, joins Next Up following the Astros defeating the Oakland Athletics 3-0 Wednesday at Minute Maid Park. The Astros have won three out of the four-game series against the A's and are on a four-game win streak. Framber Valdez started on the mound and threw seven scoreless innings. Seth Martinez pitched aided in last innings to combine for a two-hit shutout. The Astros got "Framber at his best," Bogusevic said. The Astros move to a 18-25 record and are 5.5 games back from the lead in the AL West. "It's still a deep hole to climb." Prior to the win streak, disgruntled fans were unhappy with the Astros slow start to the season, and first year manager Joe Espada was put to blame. However, Bogusevic values Espada's late-game decision-making. "It' all about matchups," and as a player, "you're looking for a sound approach to managing a game," and Espada has "inspired confidence" with his strategies. The Astros latest success against the A's is bittersweet because Ronel Blanco was ejected before the start of the fourth inning Tuesday when the third base umpire found a foreign substance on his glove. Blanco has since received a 10-game suspension. Bogusevic does not dispute that Blanco broke the rule, but pushes MLB to "make it more uniform" after similar instances around the league saw different results. "Enforcement creates a whole lot of grey area for something that should be black or white."

Stan Norfleet and Chris Gordy of Next Up react to the Houston Astros winning 2-1 over the Oakland Athletics on Tuesday with Victor Caratini hitting an RBI single in the 10th inning. Caratini recorded another walk off after smashing a game-ending homer as a pinch hitter on April 30. Alex Bregman began the second inning with another home run after hitting two the previous night. Starting pitcher Ronel Blanco was ejected before the start of the fourth after the third base umpire checked his glove and found a foreign substance. Blanco will likely face a 10-game suspension. Stan and Chris comment on the Texans hosting the Baltimore Ravens for a Christmas Day game to be featured on Netflix, review the Astros trading Corey Julks to the Chicago White Sox and more.

Stan Norfleet and Chris Gordy of Next Up recap the Houston Astros defeating the Oakland A's 9-2 in the first of a four-game series at Minute Maid Park. Third baseman Alex Bregman broke out of his recent slump, recording two homers and four RBIs. Spencer Arrighetti started on the mound and picked up his first Major League win, earning five strikeouts in five innings. The Rockets landed the No. 3 overall pick during the NBA draft lottery, making that four consecutive years the Rockets have a top-four pick in the draft. Ben DuBose, editor of The Rockets Wire, joins to discuss whether the Rockets will draft a prospect or trade away the pick for a veteran player. Stan and Chris talk with KPRC reporter Aaron Wilson about Texans rookie minicamp, congratulate Julia Morales of Space City Home Network for making MLB history and more.

Ben DuBose, editor of The Rockets Wire, joins Next Up to discuss the Houston Rockets landing the No. 3 overall pick during the NBA draft lottery. The pick comes from the Brooklyn Nets as a part of the 2021 deal for James Harden, while the Rockets' own pick goes to the Oklahoma City Thunder from the Russell Westbrook trade in 2019. As this is the fourth consecutive year that the Rockets have a top-four pick in the draft, "it's a good time to be a Rockets fan," DuBose said. Even though the Rockets saw a 19-win increase in their regular season record, they did not make the postseason, and DuBose says there are holes in shooting and defending that can be addressed with his pick. "You can always use more shooting," something that Kentucky Wildcats guard Reed Sheppard could provide, or a strong defender "who has a little bit of a different presence" than Alperen Şengün, such as UConn Huskies center Donovan Clingan.

KPRC reporter Aaron Wilson joins Next Up to recap the Houston Texans rookie minicamp. Texans draft picks took the field Friday and Saturday in their first practices as NFL players. Wilson also discusses the Texans trading for former Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Ben Skowronek, the competitive receiver group, the regular season schedule and a possible Nico Collins contract extension.