The Astros' dilemma at second base

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Today's starting lineup

While the Texans took a Sunday off, and the Aggies, Cougars and Longhorns reflected on a winning Saturday, we turn our attention back to baseball and the Astros. Houston made the bold move of shifting Jose Altuve away from second base to the outfield. As part of his analysis on the 2025 Astros, Matt Kawahara looks at how the Astros performed at second.

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

Reid Laymance, Sports Editor

reid.laymance@houstonchronicle.com

Astros / MLB

Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) tries to tag out Seattle Mariners Julio Rodríguez (44) as he steals second during the first inning of a MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025.

Photo by: Jason Fochtman, Houston Chronicle

Roster analysis: Second base. Questions of defense and Jose Altuve

Jose Altuve was moved to left field but ended up playing most games of any Astro at second. Where team plays him in 2026 remains a question.

Mariners 3, Blue Jays 1: Cal Raleigh homered, Jorge Polanco drove in the go-ahead run with a sixth-inning single for the Mariners in Game 1 of the ALCS. Read More

Texans / NFL

Seattle Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (7) celebrates after sacking Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 12 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla.

Photo by: Phelan M. Ebenhack, Associated Press

How Sunday's NFL results impacted the Texans' playoff standing

The Texans still have a dozen games left but while Houston was off other contenders were playing as NFL playoff race takes shape

Texas A&M wide receiver KC Concepcion (7) drags Florida safety Bryce Thornton (18) for a first down after a catch and run during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Craft)

Photo by: Sam Craft, Associated Press

Texas college football rankings: No. 1 Aggies playing like it's 1975

Texas A&M and Texas Tech are both 6-0 and tied for first in their respective conferences as the regular season hits the halfway mark.

SEC power rankings Week 7: The Aggies are one of 11 unbeaten teams left in the country but stand at No. 2 in SEC rankings. Read More
AP Top 25: Texas A&M is at No. 4 for its best regular-season ranking since early in 1995 season. Red Raiders up to No. 7, and Texas back in top 25. Read More
Tortillas and flags fly: Red Raiders were called for penalties at home as part of Big 12 crackdown on throwing objects on field, including tortillas, a school tradition Read More

High School Football

Westfield Mustang players take the field prior to a District 14-6A football game between the Nimitz Cougars and the Westfield Mustangs at Planet Ford Stadium in Spring, TX on Friday, October 6, 2023.

Photo by: Rhonda Taormina/Contributor

Key takeaways and top performers from Week 7

C.E. King, Westfield, Fort Bend Bush and Strake Jesuit were among the teams that stood out in Week 7.

Dash

Photo by: Luiza Moraes, NWSL Via Getty Images

Angel City staves off elimination with 2-0 win over Dash

Kennedy Fuller and Maiara Niehues scored and Angel City staved off elimination from postseason contention with a 2-0 victory over the Houston Dash on Sunday in the National Women’s Soccer League.