Convenience Big Store: Another big win for Brandon Bielak and Astros

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Today's starting lineup

With the Astros minus three of their projected starting pitchers from the season's start, performances like Brandon Bielak's on Wednesday are vital as Houston tries to stay in the playoff race while waiting for injured stars to return and the possibility of adding at the Aug. 1 trade deadline.

"It's a perfect example (of next man up), because every day when we do win, we have different heroes," manager Dusty Baker said after Wednesday's 4-1 win over the Rockies.

José Urquidy and Yordan Alvarez took another step in their road back as they were in Sugar Land for a rehab game with the Space Cowboys. Urquidy figures he has about two weeks before he's ready, while Alvarez said he's set to return.

The talk of college football again has been dealing with the changes created by the transfer portal and NIL money to athletes. UH athletic director Chris Pezman was pretty direct when he said this week that college sports have become pay-to-play.

In the SEC media days, Alabama only has 10 starters back for next year but that shouldn't matter much, given Nick Saban's group of five-star recruits.

And the women's World Cup kicks off today. The U.S. team will have three very special fans, the children of three true soccer moms on the roster: Alex Morgan, Crystal Dunn and Julie Ertz.

Stat of the day: 2016. The last time the Baltimore Orioles were in first place after the All-Star break. Baltimore passed Tampa Bay for first on Wednesday.

Reid Laymance
Sports editor
reid.laymance@houstonchronicle.com

Astros / MLB

DENVER, CO - JULY 19: Starting pitcher Brandon Bielak #64 of the Houston Astros pitches in the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on July 19, 2023 in Denver, Colorado.

Photo by: Justin Edmonds, Getty Images

How Brandon Bielak conquered Colorado (again)

Brandon Bielak continues to thrive against Colorado, tossing another gem against the Rockies to help the Astros get a series split in Denver.

Astros 4, Rockies 1: Chas McCormick hits another home run as Astros earn a split.
On schedule: Framber Valdez, who left his most recent start with a calf ailment, is good to take his next turn in the rotation during the Astros' series at Oakland.
A step closer: José Urquidy targets end of month for return after rehab assignment, and Yordan Alvarez says he's ready.
Right at home: The Astros were more than 1,000 miles from home but you wouldn't have known it based on the turnout of Houston fans in Denver this week.
On deck: Houston carries a 6-0 record versus the Athletics this year into what conceivably could be its final trip to the Coliseum.

Colleges

Houston Tour has Athletic Director meeting with media Chris Pezman at The Pavilion by Hilton (200 South Alamo St..on Tuesday, May 22, 2018.

Photo by: Ronald Cortes

NCAA's new rules have created 'pay for play' era

Houston athletic director Chris Pezman said timing of new rules intended to help players has created a free-market system with little enforcement and allowed agents and boosters more access.

College Football

Photo by: George Walker IV, Associated Press

Alabama returns mere 10 starters — as if it matters to Nick Saban

The venerable coach, whose Crimson Tide visit Texas on Sept. 9, has a tendency to replace five-star players with more five-star players.

An SEC welcome: The Razorbacks' proximity to the league's newest members has their coach "ecstatic" about their joining in 2024.

Women's World Cup

FILE -United States' Alex Morgan holds her daughter, Charlie, as she listens to Cindy Parlow Cone, president of the U.S. Soccer Federation, speak during an event with the federation, U.S. Women's National Team Players Association and the U.S. National Soccer Team Players Association at Audi Field in Washington, Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2022. Morgan says she feels calmer heading into this World Cup and wants to represent mom athletes. She's one of three mothers on this U.S. squad and is often accompanied by 3-year-old daughter Charlie. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)

Photo by: Julio Cortez, Associated Press

Moms taking field for U.S. in World Cup play with added purpose

Alex Morgan, Crystal Dunn and Julie Ertz and their children are an important part of this U.S. women's national team's story at the World Cup.

Diversity counts: The Americans' 23-player roster in this summer's Women's World Cup is the most diverse in history.
How to watch: TV and streaming information for the tournament, which kicks off Thursday.