Today's starting lineup
The waiting ends today. Another Astros playoff run will begin at 3:45 p.m. CT at Minute Maid Park when the American League Division Series begins against the Twins. The Astros' bullpen, a huge cog in last year's championship, is arguably the most vital component in their bid to repeat. Justin Verlander enters his Game 1 start with more velocity on his fastball after a late-season tweak. Michael Brantley and Yordan Alvarez both say they're good to go after injury concerns. Former Astros great Carlos Correa, a postseason giant in Houston, looks to create new memories in a Minnesota uniform. How do the Astros and Twins stack up? We break down the positional matchups. Please scroll down for much more Astros-Twins coverage.
Week 6 of the college football season kicks off. In their most high-stakes matchup in years, Texas and Oklahoma face off at the Cotton Bowl for the last time as Big 12 foes. We also have previews of Texas A&M against Alabama, Rice vs. UConn and other Power Five games across the state. Rockets voice Matt Thomas is this week's guest picker in Joseph Duarte's College Football Pick 'Em contest.
As the Texans mix and match their offensive line as players get healthy, what is their best starting five?
New Rockets coach Ime Udoka has a positive assessment as training camp breaks in Lake Charles. As Toyota Center turns 20, renovations are coming to the downtown arena.
The NHL in Houston? Expansion isn't imminent, but the Rockets are making sure Toyota Center has NHL-quality ice.
Simone Biles is again the best gymnast on the planet after winning her sixth world all-around championship.
Week 7 of the high school football season continued Friday. Please scroll down for more coverage.
Stat of the day: 7-0. The Astros' record in Game 1 of the division series since moving to the American League in 2013.
 | Greg Rajan, Texas Sports Nation editor |
Astros vs. Twins: ALDS preview
Photo by: Karen Warren, Staff Photographer
Fully armed
Ryan Pressly, Bryan Abreu and Hector Neris anchor a relief corps that was historically dominant in last season's run to a championship. That bullpen group will be vital if the Astros are to end MLB's drought of repeat winners.
- Adding heat: Astros ace Justin Verlander made a slight mechanical change in his last regular-season start and found a little extra speed on his four-seam fastball
- Successful union: The Astros are 5-0 when Mattress Mack throws out the first pitch so that's a good way to start the postseason, writes Jerome Solomon
- Flipping the script: Carlos Correa had plenty of postseason highlights as an Astro. Now he says it's time to do it with the Twins.
- How they match up: Breaking down how the Astros and Twins compare as the ALDS begins today at Minute Maid Park.
- Getting his kicks: Before making the major leagues, Astros utilityman Mauricio Dubón was quite the soccer player, with a knack for scoring goals.
- Playing the field? No problem: Yordan Alvarez only played in left field twice in his final 14 starts of the regular season, but he said he's ready to play in the field again.
- No limits: Veteran outfielder Michael Brantley, who's missed much of the past two seasons with a shoulder ailment, says he's 1"00% available" for ALDS duty.
- Don't forget him: Twins catcher Christian Vázquez, who helped Houston win the World Series last year, adds to the reunion element in the ALDS.
- Indoor baseball: The first two games of the ALDS will include the Minute Maid Park roof being closed.
- Times set: MLB sets the game times for the final two games of the Astros-Twins series, if they're needed.
- Podcast: On a new "Dugout Download" episode, Matt Kawahara and Steve Schaeffer discuss how the Astros match up with the Twins in the ALDS.
College Football: Week 6
Photo by: Eric Gay, Associated Press
Something's got to give
Third-ranked Texas and No. 12 Oklahoma put their undefeated records on the line today at the Cotton Bowl in their biggest showdown in some time.
- Texas A&M vs.Alabama preview: Former Tompkins star Jalen Milroe visits his home state as No. 11 Alabama pays Texas A&M a visit this afternoon.
- Aggies Mailbag: Brent Zwerneman answers readers' Aggie football questions before today's game against No. 11 Alabama.
- Rice vs. UConn preview: Rice looks to start 4-0 at home for the first time since 2018 when winless UConn visits South Main today.
- Around the state: A look at today's other Power Five games involving Texas schools.
- Pick 'Em with Matt Thomas: Matt Thomas, Houston sports talk host and voice of the Rockets, joins Joseph Duarte to make Week 6 college football picks.
Texans / NFL
Photo by: Brett Coomer/Staff Photographer
High five
Who are the Texans' five best offensive linemen as they work around injuries and players returning this week?
- Should be good to go: After missing four weeks with a broken hand, right tackle Tytus Howard is expected to return Sunday in Atlanta.
Rockets / NBA
Photo by: Karen Warren, Staff Photographer
Thumbs up
New coach Ime Udoka, who doesn't shy away from criticism, said camp "went well" and was encouraged by the team's effort and focus.
- Sprucing it up: As Toyota Center marks its 20th anniversary, the Rockets have plans to improve scoreboards, suites and more.
NHL
Photo by: Cody Duty/Houston Chronicle
Just in case
The NHL doesn't have current plans to expand but the Rockets want to make sure Toyota Center has NHL-quality ice if the situation changes.
Gymnastics
Photo by: Geert Vanden Wijngaert, Associated Press
Top of the world
Spring's Simone Biles wins her sixth all-around world championship, continuing her comeback and making her the favorite for the Paris Olympics.
Dynamo / MLS
Photo by: Rebecca Blackwell/Associated Press
Time to keep pushing
The Dynamo have a playoff berth in hand. Next up is breaking through against Colorado in tonight's regular-season home finale.
High School Football
Photo by: Michael Wyke/Contributor
Can't be stopped
Hunter Andrews took control in the 16th edition of the Magnolia Bowl, running for more than 200 yards and scoring five times in Magnolia's romp over Magnolia West.
- Klein Collins 35, Tomball Memorial 14: Michael Wilson rumbled for 256 yards and two touchdowns as Klein Collins handed Tomball Memorial its first loss.
- Westfield 42, Nimitz 28: Westfield remains the lone unbeaten in District 16-6A after dispatching Nimitz.
- Area roundup: A look at other notable games around the Houston area Friday night,
- Scoreboard: The local and statewide scores from Friday's Week 7 action.
High School Volleyball
Photo by: Staff Illustration
Around the area
A rundown of a busy Friday night on volleyball courts around the Houston area.
Worth a read
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