28 JUN 2024 · Stan Norfleet of Next Up previews the Houston Astros taking on the Mets in New York for a weekend series starting Friday. Catcher Cesar Salazar joins to discuss how the pitching staff has been preparing to try and extend the Astros seven-game win streak. Heidi Watney, who is covering the series for Apple TV+, also joins to break down the many story lines behind the matchup. The Rockets selected Reed Sheppard in the first round of the NBA draft and traded their 44th pick for AJ Griffin from the Atlanta Hawks. Rick Kamla, host on SiriusXM NBA Radio, joins to recap the draft and react to the Los Angeles Lakers selecting Bronny James, son of LeBron James, with the 55th pick, where they could become the first father-son duo to play in the league at the same time. 

28 JUN 2024 · Houston Astros catcher César Salazar joins Next Up ahead of the weekend series against the New York Mets. Salazar, a seventh-round pick in 2018, was recalled by the Astros on June 11 after Yainer Diaz injured his index finger off a foul tip against the Los Angeles Angels, but remained on the Major League roster after Victor Caratini went on the injured list with a left hip flexor strain. "I've only been here a couple of weeks," but the team is believing "in what they could do" during this seven-game win streak, Salazar said. The pitching staff is "laser-focused right now." The Astros have dealt with injuries to starting pitching all season, paralleling the many pitching injuries across the league. While acknowledging that he is not a biometrics expert, Salazar does believe the pitch clock "has something to do with" the injuries. Salazar also discusses improving his at-bats, what he learned from Martín Maldonado and more.

28 JUN 2024 · Heidi Watney, who is covering the Houston Astros taking on the New York Mets for Apple TV+ on Friday, joins Next Up to preview the weekend series. The Astros are currently on a seven-game win streak and hold a 15-7 record in June, while the Mets are 15-6 in June, making this a matchup between the "best two records" in baseball this month, Watney said. Watney breaks down the Astros division race, possible trades before the MLB trade deadline, the history between managers Joe Espada and Carlos Mendoza and more.

28 JUN 2024 · Rick Kamla, host on SiriusXM NBA Radio, joins Next Up to recap the 2024 NBA Draft that saw the Houston Rockets select Reed Sheppard, a guard from the University of Kentucky, with the No. 3 overall pick. "I love Houston's roster" and they walked away with the "best shooter in this draft," Kamla said. When asked whether the Rockets should have drafted Donovan Clingan, a center from UConn, instead of Sheppard, Kamla says Houston has "Steven Adams for a year" behind Alperen Şengün. The Rockets finished five games back from the final spot in the Play-In Tournament last season. "The West is so tough" but with this roster and players taking a next step in their development, the Rockets "definitely could make it into the Play-In Tournament." Kamla also discusses the Kevin Durant trade rumors and the Los Angeles Lakers drafting Bronny James, son of LeBron James, with the 55th pick where they could become the first father-son duo to play in the league at the same time. 

27 JUN 2024 · Stan Norfleet and Chris Gordy of Next Up recap the Houston Astros completing the two-game series sweep over the Colorado Rockies after Wednesday's 7-1 victory at Minute Maid Park. Spencer Arrighetti led the way for the Astros seventh straight victory with 10 strikeouts. The Astros get to a .500 record for the first time this season and are 4.5 games back from the lead in the AL West. The first round of the 2024 NBA Draft saw the Rockets select Reed Sheppard, a guard from the University of Kentucky, at No. 3 overall. Host of the "Locked On Rockets" podcast Jackson Gatlin joins to break down the pick and how Sheppard could enter the rotation "from day one."

27 JUN 2024 · Host of the "Locked On Rockets" podcast Jackson Gatlin joins Next Up to review the first round of the NBA Draft where the Houston Rockets drafted Reed Sheppard, a guard from the University of Kentucky, with the No. 3 overall pick. "He can get it done anywhere" on the floor and has the ability to "step into the Rockets' rotation...from day one," Gatlin said. The Rockets have extended the young core on their roster after drafting Amen Thompson fourth last year, Jabari Smith Jr. third in 2022 and Jalen Green second in 2021. Head coach Ime Udoka is "going to give the minutes to the best players" regardless of how they entered the league. The second round of the NBA Draft starts Thursday, and the Rockets have the No. 44 pick. Gatlin also breaks down the pick-swap trade between the Rockets and the Brooklyn Nets. The Rockets, who currently have a lot of young talent, traded for future picks and "get to push those assets a little further out."

26 JUN 2024 · Stan Norfleet and Chris Gordy of Next Up recap the Houston Astros defeating the Colorado Rockies 5-2 Tuesday at Minute Maid Park. Hunter Brown recorded his seventh consecutive quality start, only allowing two singles in six scoreless innings. Spencer Arrighetti will start on the mound Wednesday as the Astros look to complete the two-game series sweep. The first round of the 2024 NBA Draft begins Wednesday night, and the Houston Rockets hold the No. 3 overall pick. Ben DuBose, editor of The Rockets Wire, joins to break down the Rockets' trade with the Brooklyn Nets. If the Rockets keep their first round pick this year, Dick Gabriel, a host on 630 WLAP in Lexington, joins to discuss why University of Kentucky guard Reed Sheppard would be a good fit on an NBA roster.

26 JUN 2024 · Dick Gabriel, a host on 630 WLAP in Lexington, joins Next Up to provide some insight into NBA prospect Reed Sheppard, a guard from the University of Kentucky. The Rockets hold the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft and many mocks have Sheppard landing in Houston. What could Sheppard add to the Rockets to help them take the next step into the playoffs?

26 JUN 2024 · Ben DuBose, editor of The Rockets Wire, joins Next Up to break down the overnight trade between the Houston Rockets and Brooklyn Nets.  The Rockets receive: - In 2025, the rights to swap either their own first round pick or Oklahoma City’s first round pick in exchange for Phoenix’s first round pick. - Phoenix’s first round pick in 2027. - In 2029, the rights to the more favorable of either Dallas’ or Phoenix’s first round pick in addition to the right to swap their own first round pick for the less favorable of either Dallas’ or Phoenix’s first round pick. The Rockets give up: - In 2025, the right to swap either their first round pick or Oklahoma City’s first round pick in exchange for Brooklyn’s first round pick. - Brooklyn’s first round pick in 2026. The Rockets are focusing on a "quantity of picks" that the organization could use as trade capital in the future. "It's a long term bet," DuBose said. With the No. 3 overall pick in Wednesday's NBA Draft, DuBose still sees the Rockets selecting Reed Sheppard or Donovan Clingan if they can't shop the pick. However, if the Rockets are able to complete a trade on draft night, which current player could general manager Rafael Stone move? "Dillon Brooks."

25 JUN 2024 · Stan Norfleet and Chris Gordy of Next Up, along with Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show, preview the Houston Astros hosting the Colorado Rockies for a two-game series starting Tuesday. The Astros are 5.5 games back from the lead in the AL West. The first round of the NBA draft begins Wednesday, and the Rockets have the No. 3 overall pick. Lachard Binkley, staff writer for The Dream Shake and SB Nation, joins to discuss whether the Rockets will keep their pick or use it as trade capital in an attempt to upgrade the roster. Stan, Chris and Ross talk about the Texans having a strong wide receiver group, predict who the Rockets will draft at No. 3 and more.