Convenience Big Store: Is it time to panic about the Astros?

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Today's starting lineup

After another loss to the lowly Royals, Houston has dropped five of its last seven series and lost eight of 11 games since Sept. 10. That was the date Houston had a 2½-game lead in the AL West. Now, they are 1½ games behind the Rangers with seven to play and just a half-game ahead of Seattle for final playoff spot.

"It's been frustrating," Chas McCormick said. "I've never been in this position before. But yeah, I mean, every team that's come to play us, they want to beat us badly. And we just don't want it enough right now."

The Astros still have a 71.7% chance to make the playoffs, according to the stat gurus, so we'll wait one more day.

In college football, UH, Texas and Texas A&M each came through with big wins, allowing their fan bases to breathe easier for a variety of reasons.

At UH, the Cougars bounced back from losses to Rice and TCU with a win over Sam Houston and a breakout game from Parker Jenkins at running back.

At Texas, the Longhorns stayed dominant with a 38-6 win in Waco over the Bears. Texas coach Steve Sarkisian says the team is getting better.

And at A&M, the Aggies can't be counted out of the SEC West race after a win over Auburn. Quarterback Conner Weigman hurt his ankle but Max Johnson looked just fine.

Rice, however, dropped its opener in the American Athletic Conference with a loss to South Florida on the road after quarterback JT Daniels got hurt.

Speaking of injures, the Texans limp into Jacksonville for the third week of the season and will be without Laremy Tunsil again and cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. for at least four weeks. DeMeco Ryans can't explain the rash of injuries but doesn't want it to be an excuse.

And we leave you today with an inspiring story from Jerome Solomon who spent time Saturday at the Harris County-Houston Sports Authority's (HCHSA) Adapted Sports Day at Weekley Family YMCA.

Stat of the day: 10.3% The percentage chance by FanGraphs of the Astros' chances to win the World Series. That's the highest of any AL team.

Reid Laymance
Sports editor
reid.laymance@houstonchronicle.com

Astros / MLB

Houston Astros left fielder Chas McCormick (20) reacts as he pops out during the eighth inning of an MLB baseball game at Minute Maid Park on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023 in Houston.

Photo by: Karen Warren, Staff Photographer

Astros' Chas McCormick: 'We just don't want it enough right now'

Houston has lost eight of its last 11 games and is holding on to the final playoff spot by a half-game over Seattle.

Royals 3, Astros 2: Houston got strong pitching but a late rally came up short for second loss in a row.
All lined up: Justin Verlander will start the opener against the Mariners, followed by Cristian Javier and Framber Valdez
A real pain: Yordan Alvarez has a sore elbow, which keeps him out of left field and limits Dusty Baker's lineups.
Injury report: Righthander Spencer Arrighetti, who is rated as organization's top pitching prospect, has split time at Corpus Christi and Sugar Land and is suffering from a forearm contusion.

College Football / UH

Houston Cougars running back Parker Jenkins (23) celebrates with quarterback Donovan Smith (1) after scoring a touchdown during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game at TDECU Stadium, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Houston.

Photo by: Jason Fochtman, Staff Photographer

A dazzling debut

UH running back Parker Jenkins dazzles in his first career start for the Cougars.

UH 38, Sam Houston 7: The Cougars bounced back after consecutive losses to Rice and TCU.

College Football / Big 12

Texas linebacker Jaylan Ford (41) instructs his team during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Baylor, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Waco, Texas. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)

Photo by: Gareth Patterson, Associated Press

Longhorns aren't perfect but getting better

Texas had some issues on special teams but Longhorns got another strong game from their defense as well as running back Jonathon Brooks

Texas 38, Baylor 6: Texas was dominant on the ground and on defense in win over Baylor in Big 12 opener
West Virginia 20, Texas Tech 13: The Red Raiders lost quarterback Tyler Shough to injury and came up just short on the road.
TCU 34, SMU 17: Chandler Morris passed for three touchdowns in 34-17 win in rivalry game that could end after next season.

College Football

Texas A&M quarterback Conner Weigman (15) is hit after by Auburn linebacker Eugene Asante (9) after throwing a pass down field during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Craft)

Photo by: Sam Craft, Associated Press

Quarterback depth pays off for Aggies

Conner Weigman injured his ankle but Max Johnson stepped in for win over Auburn.

Texas A&M 27, Auburn 10: Defense is the difference in opening SEC play with a win.
South Florida 42, Rice 29: Owls stall in second half in American Athletic Conference opener as JT Daniels is hurt.
Tennessee 45, UTSA 14: The No. 23 Volunteers scored four TDs in less than 19 minutes of game time, building a 31-point halftime lead to coast past UTSA.

Texans / NFL

Houston Texans safety Jalen Pitre (5) appears to take a knee to the chest as he pressures Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8), who threw an incomplete pass on the play, during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, in Baltimore. Pitre left the game at the end of the first half with a bruised lung. He was hospitalized overnight in Baltimore.

Photo by: Brett Coomer, Staff Photographer

How the Texans' injuries have put them at an early disadvantage

In first two weeks of season, Houston has a league-high 11 players on injured list and have been hit hard in offensive line and secondary

High School Football

Photo by: Kirk Sides, Staff Photographer

Jordan holds off Paetow to remain undefeated

Jordan limited its third straight opponent to under 10 points.

Kingwood Park 27, Crosby 11: Kingwood Park scored 17 points in fourth quarter to get the win.
Saturday's highlights: George Ranch and Wisdom are among Saturday's winners.
Scoreboard: Check out high school football scores from across the Houston area and around the state of Texas.

High School Basketball

Seven Lakes Spartans Justice Carlton (30) drives to the basket while defended by Katy Tigers forward Lyric Barr (30) and Nyla Wold (3) during the high school basketball game between the Seven Lakes Spartans and the Katy Tigers at Katy High School in Katy, TX on Friday, February 3, 2023. The Seven Lakes Spartans defeated the Katy Tigers.

Photo by: Tim Warner, Contributor

Seven Lakes star Justice Carlton knew Texas was home from Day 1

The five-star recruit made her decision early on, picking the Longhorns over Arizona, LSU, South Carolina and UConn.

Dynamo

Sporting Kansas City goalkeeper Tim Melia is shown during the first half of an MLS soccer match against Inter Miami, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

Photo by: Wilfredo Lee, Associated Press

Sporting KC edges Dynamo

Johnny Russell and William Agada each scored in the first half, Tim Melia came up with a clutch save late and Sporting Kansas City beat the Houston Dynamo 2-1 on Saturday night.