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August 28, 2023

The greatness of Simone Biles comes with a new smile

Your daily sports update from the Houston Chronicle.

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Texas Sports Nation's Daily Playbook

Today's starting lineup

Before we look at the Astros and Texans, let's take another moment to reflect on the greatness of Simone Biles.

Ten years after she competed in and won her first national all-around title — and two years after she withdrew from the Tokyo Olympics and disappeared from the sport — Biles made history on Sunday by winning her U.S. record eighth national all-around championship.

And perhaps even more importantly, as she took another step toward the 2024 Olympics, Biles smiled. Danielle Lerner has the details.

The World Championships are next, and Biles won't be the only Houston gymnast making the trip. Asher Hong earned a spot on the men's team.

The Texans ended their preseason schedule with a win over the Saints. The preseason games showcased the extremities of the team's needs. Brooks Kubena explains. One thing that is settled, as if there were much doubt, rookie C.J. Stroud will be the starter for the season opener.

As for the Astros, a 25-hit game and 17-4 win over the Tigers was only part of the story. Matt Kawahara looks at why Jeremy Peña's five-hit game was significant. We also got a Hall-of-Fame showdown between old friends Justin Verlander and Miguel Cabrera. And as Houston heads to Boston, Michael Brantley might be on the way back.

And in the Little League World Series, Needville finished fourth after falling to Taiwan in the third-place game. 

Stat of the day: .189. Jeremy Peña's average against sliders going into Sunday's game, which made his two hits against the pitch a welcome sign.

Reid Laymance HeadshotReid Laymance
Sports editor
reid.laymance@houstonchronicle.com
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Olympics / Gymnastics

Simone Biles competes in the uneven bars on day four of the 2023 U.S. Gymnastics Championships at SAP Center on August 27, 2023 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Photo by: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Simone Biles wins record 8th title at U.S. Championships

Ten years after she first ascended to the top of her sport as a teenage prodigy, Simone Biles adds another title. And smiled.

  • On to worlds: Cypress Academy's Asher Hong is one of five men who will compete for the United States at the FIG 2023 Artistic World Championships in Antwerp, Belgium from Sept. 30-Oct. 8.

Texans / NFL

Houston Texans cornerback Cameron Dantzler (20) celebrates after intercepting a pass in the second half of a preseason NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Aug. 27, 2023, in New Orleans. The Texans won 17-13. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Photo by: Butch Dill/Associated Press

What the preseason says about a Texans team still growing

The Texans' win against the Saints Sunday night at the Superdome in the preseason finale showcased the extremities of the franchise's needs.


Astros / MLB

Houston Astros' Jeremy Pena (3) celebrates his two-run triple against the Detroit Tigers in the eighth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, Aug. 27, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Photo by: Paul Sancya/Associated Press

Astros insider: Jeremy Peña has 5-hit day vs. Tigers

Two of the shortstop's hits came off sliders. An encouraging sign.


Little League

Taiwan's Chen Kai-Sheng (19) scores on a passed ball as Needville, Texas pitcher Colten Georgi (12) covers the plate during the first inning of a baseball game at the Little League World Series tournament in South Williamsport, Pa., Sunday, Aug. 27, 2023. (AP Photo/Tom E. Puskar)

Photo by: Tom E. Puskar, Associated Press

Needville finishes fourth at Little League World Series

Needville won its first four games at the Little League World Series, but Taiwan was too much to handle in the third-place game.


High School Football

Aldine Eisenhower head coach Odell James is seen during the first half of a non-district high school football game at Rhodes Stadium, Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, in Katy.

Photo by: Jason Fochtman

New coach Odell James making quick impact on Eisenhower football

The Eagles and the decorated coach are off to an impressive start after Thursday's win over Morton Ranch. 


Worth a read

• In Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djkovic has a much-needed gift: a rival. (New York Times)

• I brought World Cup glory to Spain, so I can kiss whoever I want. (Washington Post)

• RJ Peete isn't just a clubhouse attendant with autism. He's a central part of the Dodgers' family. (Los Angeles Times)

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