SLIVERS OF FOOTBALL can be seen the first week of September as both La Marque and Hitchcock hit the field on Friday and a host of area college teams start their 2020 campaigns on Saturday. Meanwhile, the Astros start a lengthy road trip and the Rockets either survive and advance or find their way out of the Orlando bubble.
Wednesday: The Astros turn to Cristian Javier (3-1, 3.77 ERA) for the third game of their series against the visiting Rangers beginning at 7:10pm. Texas hands the ball to opener Kolby Allard (0-3, 6.50 ERA) as it will be a bullpen night for the Rangers. Both AT&T Sportsnet Southwest (Astros) and Fox Sports Southwest (Rangers) will have the game starting with their respective pregame shows at 7:30pm.
Pending the outcome of Monday’s Game Six, the Rockets and Thunder could be playing a decisive seventh game of their Western Conference first round series. Time and channel will be determined if a winner-takes-all scenario develops due to an OKC victory on Monday night.
Thursday: Houston has yet to decide who will get the starting nod for the series finale against the Rangers, which starts at 1:10pm. Meanwhile, Texas gets the ball to struggling hurler Mike Minor, who comes into the game with an 0-5 record and 6.50 ERA. Again, both AT&T Sportsnet Southwest and Fox Sports Southwest will have the game live after the pregame show, which starts at 12:30pm.
Friday: Hitchcock will look to improve to 2-0 when the Bulldogs host East Bernard starting at 7:30pm. Hitchcock hung on to a 28-18 win over Van Vleck in their regular season opener on Friday, while East Bernard pounded Edna on its way to a 49-20 victory.
After having their regular season opener against Stafford cancelled due to Hurricane Laura, La Marque hits the road to start their 2020 schedule with a game at Tarkington at 7:30pm. The Cougars, who finished 6-5 last season, meet a Longhorns team that had a 3-6 record in 2019.
Heading out west to open a three-team, 10-game series, the Astros go with Lance McCullers Jr. (3-2, 5.06 ERA) when they face off against the Angels. Los Angeles is projected to hand the ball to Dylan Bundy (4-2, 2.47 ERA), provided Bundy — who was among one the bigger names bandied about before Monday’s trade deadline — is still wearing a Halos uniform. AT&T Sportsnet Southwest begins coverage with the pregame show at 7:30pm, leading into the 8:10pm start time.
Saturday: It’s two for the price of one as the Astros embark on a doubleheader against the Angels. Zack Greinke (2-0, 2.68 ERA) gets the game one start for Houston and will be countered by Griffin Canning (0-3, 4.04 ERA). Neither team has announced who would start in the second game. AT&T Sportsnet Southwest hits the air at 5:30pm, setting the stage for the 6:07pm start time. Game two is slated for a 9:07pm start.
The abbreviated opening week of the college football regular season will see Houston Baptist at North Texas (ESPN3) starting at 6:00pm, while Stephen F. Austin visits Texas-El Paso (ESPN3) at 8:00pm.
