Convenience Big Store: Alarms are ringing for the Astros after latest loss

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Today's starting lineup

The Astros are hurtling into mid-May on an ominous trajectory. Their 17-28 record is the team’s worst start in a decade, a startling pace for a club planning to contend, met measuredly so far with calls for patience. But alarms are sounding, literally.

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

Reid Laymance, Sports Editor

reid.laymance@houstonchronicle.com

Astros / MLB

Houston Astros Jose Altuve (27) reacts after striking out during the third inning of an MLB baseball game on Thursday, May 14, 2026.

Photo by: Jason Fochtman, Houston Chronicle

Alarms are literally going off for Astros who are off to worst start in a decade

As bad as Houston's start has been, the Astros are within five games of a playoff spot in the American League.

Mariners 8, Astros 3: Seattle's home runs off Mike Burrows end any spark Houston might have had from its walk-off win the day before. Read More
Rotation: Houston is essentially using a six-man rotation with Kai-Wei Teng starting again during stretch of 23 games in 24 days. Read More
The 'most innocent dude there': Dusty Baker appeared on Matt Barnes' "All the Smoke" podcast and defended Jose Altuve, who still gets booed on the road because of the Astros' sign-stealing scandal. Read More

Texans / NFL

Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans runs to celebrate with his team after a pick six against the Jacksonville Jaguars at NRG Stadium in Houston on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025. Houston Texans won the game 36-29.

Photo by: Elizabeth Conley, Houston Chronicle

Breaking down the Texans' 2026 schedule

The Houston Texans play their first two games at home and will have four prime-time games this season, including on Christmas Eve at Philadelphia.

Video attack: The Chargers' NFL schedule release video mocked Mike Vrabel and Diana Russini, but also took shots at Houston and the Texans with references to C.J. Stroud, Kevin Durant and the Astros. Read More

Comets / WNBA

Paige Fertitta laughs with former Houston Comets coach Van Chancellor after a press conference regarding the return of the WNBA’s Houston Comets at the Toyota Center in Houston on Thursday, May 14, 2026.

Photo by: Elizabeth Conley, Houston Chronicle

The Comets return to a changed WNBA with goals of sustained success

The WNBA will be back in Houston in 2027 after the Fertitta family's purchase and relocation of the Connecticut Sun became official.

What's in a name: Even while the WNBA works on the trademark, Houston's new team will go by an old name: Houston Comets. The name brings a sense of pride for both ownership and former players. Read More

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