Manager Joe Espada joins The Matt Thomas Show ahead of Tuesday's start to a three-game road series against the Chicago Cubs. Espada, who was a couple of minutes late to the show, said he just left a team meeting as the Astros are "trying to play better baseball." Ace Justin Verlander made his season debut Friday in a 5-3 win over the Washington Nationals, but Espada says younger pitches, such as Hunter Brown, "have to put hitters away" and avoid extending at-bats. As Jose Abreu continues to struggle, Espada says he's "going to start giving [Jon] Singleton some opportunities" in matchups "that are favorable to him."