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Today's starting lineup

The Astros have had their fair share of bad nights over the past two-plus months. Tuesday in Toronto might have been the nadir. First, there was Luis Garcia — making his second start after a two-year comeback from Tommy John surgery — leaving after facing just seven batters, an exit Carlos Correa dubbed "devastating." The night only got worse from there, with Bryan Abreu coughing up a two-run lead in the ninth inning before the Blue Jays won in the 10th. Where does that leave the Astros? Clinging to a one-game lead over the Mariners atop the AL West, with the surging Rangers 2 ½ back and 17 games to go. Buckle up.

Please scroll down for the rest of this morning's headlines.

Greg Rajan, Senior Editor

greg.rajan@houstonchronicle.com

Astros / MLB

Houston Astros pitcher Luis Garcia (77) is visited by teammates on the mound before leaving the game against the Toronto Blue Jays during second inning MLB baseball action in Toronto on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)

Photo by: Nathan Denette, Associated Press

'Devastating' early exit

Luis Garcia left in the second inning of his second start back from Tommy John surgery. That leaves a hole in the Astros' rotation — again.

Blue Jays 4, Astros 3 (10): Houston's bullpen nursed a lead until the ninth inning, but Bryan Abreu couldn't hold a two-run advantage before the hammer dropped in the 10th. Read More
Two arms out for year: Brandon Walter had impressed in nine starts with the Astros while John Rooney made just one appearance after being acquired from Miami. Read More
France back, VanWey down: J.P. France had made several appearances in long relief at Sugar Land after returning from shoulder surgery in 2024. Read More
New spot for Altuve: For the first time in more than a decade, Jose Altuve started a game batting cleanup. Read More

Texans / NFL

Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans is seen during the second half of an NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025.

Photo by: Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle

Points of irritation

Texans coach DeMeco Ryans was most concerned with his team's tempo and pre-snap penalties in the season-opening loss to Rams

Injury updates: Cade Stover's broken foot will keep him out indefinitely but injured receivers Christian Kirk and Braxton Berrios are improving. Read More
More McNair drama: In a letter to commissioner Roger Goodell, attorney Tony Buzbee alleges the NFL and Cal McNair conspired to "engineer" Cary McNair's removal from the Texans' family ownership. Read More

UH Football

Houston defensive back Will James (15) returns an interception for a 37-yard touchdown during the second half of of an NCAA college football game in Houston, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025.

Photo by: Jason Fochtman, Houston Chronicle

Catching on quickly

Cornerback Will James, a transfer from Southern Miss, made the most of his opportunity against Rice after a painful drop in the season opener.

Availability report: The Big 12 unveiled its first, NFL-style availability report ahead of Week 3 games, with 10 UH players listed. Read More
'I pray that it's a sellout': UH has had six sellouts in the 12-season history of TDECU Stadium and nearly 30,000 tickets have already been sold for Friday's game, which Colorado coach Deion Sanders wants to see sold out. Read More
Who's under center? Deion Sanders said he hasn't made a decision yet on Colorado's starting QB against Houston, refuting an ESPN report. Read More
Officials sitting one out: The Big 12 sidelines an officiating crew that erred on allowing a punt on a free kick during the Kansas-Missouri game. Read More