VYPE
Garcia has an impressive line of 25-2 with a 1.44 ERA
Originally Appeared on Vype
HOUSTON – Long after the dust had settled and the tears of joy had been wiped away from her cheeks, Aaliyah Garcia was back in the dugout.
Standing at the end of the bench, with a Stim machine hooked up, two bags of ice wrapped around her right shoulder and another bag wrapped around her leg, the Angleton senior pitcher looked like someone who had just come out of a battle.
In a way she did.
A seven-inning, 128-pitch, win-or-go-home fight against a stout Barbers Hill lineup to keep her team's season alive with a trip to Austin on the line, which the Ladycats won 9-8.
"She's been my girl for four years now," Angleton coach Cindy Rubio said with tears welling up in her eyes. "I'm going to be really sad to see her go. She has worked hard for me. She's never complained, she's just gutted up and gone.
"Last year she gave it all she had, and we came up short. For her to go out there and gut it up as much as she did and just give all that grit and determination she has and to be able to come out with the win really seals off her senior year."
Throughout the playoffs, Garcia has been a major force for now-state-bound Angleton.
In nine playoff games, Garcia has gone 8-1, giving up 27 runs on 36 hits, while striking out 69 and walking 17 in 57 innings.
Opponents during the playoffs are batting just .167 against the Georgia Southern signee.
"I think is an accumulation of my whole high school career," Garcia said. "This is my last run. I don't want anything to stop me."
Garcia's strikeout numbers have been impressive, setting down 1.21 per inning and 7.2 per game, while giving up less than two walks per outing.
Another number that stands out are the number of pitches.
The story continues here
The NFL playoffs are finally here, and the Texans will kick off the postseason by hosting the LA Chargers this Saturday at NRG.
And while the Texans are only 3 point underdogs, the national media is making it seem like Houston has no chance against Justin Herbert and company.
ESPN's Rex Ryan has gone as far as calling the Texans a "bye" week for the Chargers, giving the team no chance to win despite playing at home.
However, the Texans are no stranger to this situation, as they were given little chance to win against the Browns in last year's Wild Card game. And we know how that ended, with the Texans thrashing the Browns 45-14.
It's certainly fair to predict the Chargers will come away with a win this Saturday, they have been playing much better football than Houston in recent weeks.
But it's important to remember that home underdogs have performed well in the Wild Card round. In fact, home underdogs are 16-14 all-time in the Wild Card playoffs, and both home underdogs won last year (Texans, Buccaneers).
Speaking of last year, many credit the Texans defense for securing the win over Cleveland, with two pick sixes in the second half helping to seal the deal.
But the real reason Houston won the game was because of CJ Stroud and the offense. Stroud threw 3 touchdowns before halftime and the team was leading 24-14 with six minutes left in the third quarter. That's when the defense tacked on two interceptions for touchdowns and put the game out of reach. Stroud and the offense also went on to score another TD on a Devin Singletary run.
If Stroud and the offense didn't put so much pressure on Joe Flacco and the Cleveland offense to score, he may not have forced those passes that were picked off.
Now, many will point to the Chargers having the best defense (points allowed) this season, but it's worth noting the Browns had the number one defense (yards allowed) last year as well.
Bulls on Parade
Houston's defense will have its hands full against a strong rushing attack led by JK Dobbins. And Justin Herbert has been terrific this season, spreading the ball around to his top two targets, Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston.
Fortunately for the Texans, they are extremely healthy on defense this week. While Jimmy Ward and Jalen Pitre are out for the year, we'll finally get to see linebackers Azeez Al-Shaair and Christian Harris play together for the first time this season.
The defensive line is expected to be at full strength as well, keep in mind Jonathan Greenard was injured and unable to play against the Browns last year.
Outlook on offense
We should see the best possible version of the offensive line this Saturday. We're all aware how many hits Stroud has taken due to poor o-line play. But with Tytus Howard and left guard and Juice Scruggs at right guard, Stroud should have more time to get the passing game going, featuring Nico Collins.
Speaking of the receivers, it's pretty amazing that this receiver group is almost identical to last year's in the Wild Card round. Stroud didn't have Stefon Diggs (on the Bills) or Tank Dell (injured) to throw to last year, either. But he does have one big addition in Joe Mixon this year. Hopefully, they can get Mixon involved in the passing game, and the shuffling of the o-line provides Mixon with some holes to run through.
X-factor
At least there's a possibility newly acquired receiver Diontae Johnson could provide a spark to the offense. Last year John Metchie and Robert Woods were the main targets besides Collins and Dalton Schultz.
What does Vegas think?
The Chargers are favored by 3 and the total is set at 42.5 points
Don't miss the video above as the crew from Texans on Tap previews this week's big game!