Today's starting lineup
It came down to the regular season's final day and they needed help from a fierce rival, but the Astros are American League West champs for the sixth time in seven seasons. By overcoming a 2½-game gap in the season's final week, they once again showed their resilience. There was a tinge of controversy Sunday, with an official scorer's reversal in Arizona costing Kyle Tucker a 30-30 season, a decision he will appeal. The playoffs, which begin Saturday at home, will come with something different: Actual postgame coverage on the team's new regional sports network. We also look back at the previous 11 division clinchers in Astros history.
There was also winning at NRG Stadium, with the Texans blasting the Steelers for their second straight victory. Rookie C.J. Stroud is showing hints of greatness that could have his name etched on the stadium, too, writes Jerome Solomon. So far, the Texans are better than many people thought. Leading the way is coach DeMeco Ryans' swarming defense. Check out this week's report card and please scroll down for much more game coverage.
Sunday also was a day to celebrate J.J. Watt at NRG Stadium, as the franchise legend was inducted into the Texans' Ring of Honor. Watt used his homecoming to soak in the memories of his 10 memorable seasons in Houston.
Things didn't quite fire on all cylinders this weekend, but Texas remains No. 1 in our Lone Star State college football rankings. UH insider Joseph Duarte has his report card for the Cougars' loss at Texas Tech. Spoiler alert: It's not pretty.
Spring's Simone Biles leads a dominant U.S. team at the gymnastics world championships.
Stat of the day: 1. Team in MLB history to finish a season below .500 at home and 20-plus games above .500 on the road: the 2023 Astros, per ESPN Stats & Info.
 | Greg Rajan, Texas Sports Nation editor |
Astros / MLB
Photo by: Karen Warren, Staff Photographer
'This is our division'
With a blowout win on the regular season's last day, the Astros reclaimed a distinction that has become almost routine. They are AL West champions for the sixth time in seven years.
- Down but never out: The Astros' sixth division crown in seven years was the hardest to come by, but the defending World Series champs rose to the occasion.
- Costly call: Kyle Tucker will appeal an Arizona official scorer's decision that left him one homer shy of a 30/30 season.
- Clinching memories: As the Astros wrapped up another division title, here's a look back at how they clinched the first 11 crowns in franchise history.
- New approach: The Astros' new regional sports network will include postgame coverage of playoff games beginning later this week, a change from recent seasons.
Week 4: Texans 30, Steelers 6
Photo by: Brett Coomer, Staff Photographer
Looks like a keeper
C.J. Stroud might be a mere rookie, but the QB who's led back-to-back Texans wins is showing hints of greatness that put J.J. Watt in the team's Ring of Honor, writes Jerome Solomon.
- Better than expected: Don't look now, but the Texans appear to be on the rise and surpassing the meager expectations outsiders had, writes Jonathan M. Alexander.
- Dedication to defense: The Texans have won two in a row in part because of DeMeco Ryans' defense, which is allowing the offense to get a quick start.
- 5 key performances: A closer look at five players who excelled in Sunday's win over the Steelers.
- Report card: We grade how the Texans did in winning a home game for the first time in nearly two years.
- Preparation equals pick: How film study helped Texans cornerback Steven Nelson make a key interception against the Steelers.
- Making it count: Texans running back Devin Singletary had missed in practice but was right on target Sunday when he threw his first pass since college.
- Turning point: With the Steelers threatening during the third quarter, the Texans' defense made a pivotal play to swing the game's momentum.
- Anatomy of a victory: How the Texans' impressive win over the Steelers played out Sunday.
J.J. Watt: Texans Ring of Honor
Photo by: Brett Coomer, Staff Photographer
'H-Town, I love you'
J.J. Watt spoke from the heart before his name was unveiled in the Texans' Ring of Honor at halftime of Sunday's game against the Steelers.
- Taking it all in: Everywhere J.J. Watt looked on Sunday brought back memories from the 10 years he spent as a Texans star on the day he entered the Ring of Honor.
College Football
Photo by: Eric Gay, Associated Press
Still No. 1
Texas finally put away Kansas to stay unbeaten but the top team in our Lone Star State rankings faces a big game in Dallas against Oklahoma this weekend.
- Making a move: The top three remain in the same in the AP college football poll, but Georgia's hold on No. 1 is loosening and No. 3 Texas is picking up votes.
- UH report card: The Cougars' coaching, defense and special teams failed to make the grade against Texas Tech with only some first-half highlights on offense to recognize.
Golf
Photo by: Alessandra Tarantino, AP
Sweet revenge
Team Europe had a big lead at Marco Simone outside of Rome and made sure it capped off a dominant week to clinch a Ryder Cup victory over the United States.
- Best in city: A year after finishing second, ex-Humble and Sam Houston golfer Garrett Driver wins the Houston City Amateur tournament.
Gymnastics
Photo by: Virginia Mayo, AP
Leading the way
Simone Biles registered the best scores on floor exercise, vault and balance beam and was second on uneven bars to help the U.S. qualify for the team final at the world gymnastics championships.
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