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Today's starting lineup
The Astros are one win away from a fifth World Series in the past seven years but as Sunday's Game 6 at Minute Maid Park approaches, tensions are running high.
Houston reliever Bryan Abreu was suspended two games for intentionally throwing at Adolis García (at least according to the MLB investigation.) Abreu has until game-time Sunday to appeal, which could buy him a short reprieve.
Dusty Baker, who was ejected and later fined for the benches-clearing incident in Friday's Game 5, will probably be on better behavior. He got a call from his stepmother chiding his reaction.
As far as baseball goes, Framber Valdez gets his third start of the preseason but his first two outings haven't been what he hoped for. The Astros are also hopeful of Kyle Tucker bouncing back. His double late in Game 5 could be a good sign. But the Rangers have bounced back all year, so it's not given for the Astros.
While we had the flurry of news late Saturday with the Abreu suspension, there was still time to reflect on Houston's win in Game 5. First, the inside look at how bench coach Joe Espada carried out the team's gameplan with a pair of key pinch hitters.
We also look at where Jose Altuve's homer ranks in Houston's playoff history.
Switching to college football, the University of Houston came up just short of beating Texas. A pass on fourth-and-inches fell incomplete as Texas held on to a 31-24 win. It could be costly for the Longhorns. Quarterback Quinn Ewers left the game in the second half with a should injury.
The Rockets start their season this week. Jonathan Feigen previews the year with a look at the team's core four players: Jalen Green, Alperen Sengün, Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason.
Stat of the day: 378. Passing yards by UH quarterback Donovan Smith. It was the most against Texas in 12 games.
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ALCS: Astros vs. Rangers
Photo by: Brett Coomer/Staff Photographer
With tension running high, stakes go up for Game 6
A win puts Houston in its third consecutive World Series, but Texas will do all it can to force a Game 7.
- Punishment: Bryan Abreu is suspended two games for his pitch that hit Adolis García but he can appeal.
- Tsk, tsk: Dusty Baker, known for rarely losing his cool, was told he'd gone too far in drawing an ejection in ALCS Game 5.
- Once more: Framber Valdez seeks redemption after lasting less than five and three innings, respectively, in his first two playoff outings.
- Pinch decisions: With Dusty Baker ejected, bench coach Joe Espada executed a plan that team had prepared for certain situations.
- Good company: Jose Altuve's three-run homer to beat the Rangers in Game 5 gave the Astros another memorable playoff win. But where does it rank among the greatest postseason triumphs in team history?
- Positve trend: Kyle Tucker had been struggling in the postseason, but he showed signs of breaking that slump with some key hits in the ALCS games in Arlington.
- Resilient Rangers: —The Texas Rangers have experienced a roller-coaster season. They'll need to find another way to rebound facing elimination against the Astros in ALCS Game 6.
College Football / UH vs. Texas
Photo by: Jason Fochtman/Staff Photographer
'We took mighty Longhorns down to wire'
Going toe-to-toe with the Longhorns should offer hope that the Cougars can still find three more wins over the final five games to reach bowl eligibility.
- Texas 31, UH 24: A 22 ½-point underdog, UH gave the Longhorns all they could handle.
- The big hurt: Quinn Ewers injures shoulder in second half and status uncertain for next week's game vs. BYU
- Stop sign: Once ahead 21-0, Longhorns need a late fourth-down stop to hold on for 31-24 win over the University of Houston
Rockets / NBA
Photo by: Karen Warren, Elizabeth Conley / Staff Photographers
The core four are determined to start winning
Jalen Green and Alperen Sengün, the first-round picks in 2021, and Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Easton, picks in 2022, have learned from losses.
- A 'winning player': Jae'Sean Tate is only Rockets player dating back to James Harden era and is ready to win again
- Paring down: Nate Hinton, a former University of Houston standout, could be brought back by the Rockets with a two-way contract.
Texans / NFL
Photo by: Brett Coomer, Staff Photographer
Why Houston thinks the playoffs are possible
Team is playing with a belief it can win under new coach DeMeco Ryans which is a big change from recent seasons
High School Football
Photo by: Kirk Sides/Staff Photographer
Atascocita rallies to defeat C.E. King in OT
Atascocita remains unbeaten on the season and will travel to North Shore to play the Mustangs next week.
- Stratford 53, Cy Ridge 7: The win keeps Stratford in second place in District 17-6A, a game back of Cy-Fair and Memorial in first with two games left.
- Memorial 41, Jersey Village 18: The Mustangs are now winners of five straight games after dropping all three of their non-district games to start the season.
- Other games: Wisdom, Bellaire and Kashmere are among the winners on Saturday in Houston area.
- Scoreboard: Saturday's scores from around Houston and the state.
High Schools
Photo by: Juan DeLeon/Contributor
Brazoswood, Dawson pull away for water polo titles
Dawson boys win first regional title while Brazoswood girls are going back to state.
- Team tennis: Memorial and The Woodlands repeated as regional champions to earn spots at state.
Dynamo / MLS
Photo by: Michael Wyke/Associated Press
Dynamo earn fourth seed for playoffs
Griffin Dorsey scored two goals, Adalberto Carrasquilla added another for the Dynamo.
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