Double Threat
Taylor star lineman Foster makes name at games
Dennis Silva II
Aug 23, 2018, 5:00 am
This article originally appeared on Vype.
In a little more than a week, Taylor sophomore offensive tackle Bryce Foster will line up during his team’s season opener, ready to blister whichever Atascocita defensive lineman stands in his way.
The 6-foot-5, 290-pound Foster’s profile has grown exponentially following an eye-opening freshman campaign, receiving 14 collegiate offers from recruiters hungry for him to wear their colors.
It’s what he recently accomplished off the gridiron, however, that opened more eyes.
Foster broke an 18-year-old AAU Junior Olympic Games record in late July when he threw 64’ 00.50” in the shot put, six feet better than his previous personal record.
“It feels unreal,” Foster recently told VYPE. “Every day I wake up and I watch video from it and I’m just like, ‘Wow. I really did that.’ Insane.”
Aside from the record, Foster also placed first in the discus in the Games.
“My confidence is very high right now,” Foster said.
Continue reading on Vype.
The Houston Astros host the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday night looking to keep momentum rolling and hand the Jays their fifth straight loss. First pitch is set for 7:40 p.m. EDT at Daikin Park.
Both teams enter the matchup with nearly identical records—Houston at 12-11, Toronto at 12-12—but they’re trending in opposite directions. The Astros have won six of their last ten and boast an 8-6 record at home, while the Blue Jays have dropped four straight and are just 4-7 on the road.
Ryan Gusto gets the start for Houston, entering with a 2-1 record, a 3.18 ERA, and 17 strikeouts across three appearances. He’ll go up against Bowden Francis, who brings a 3.13 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP into the game, along with 20 strikeouts in his four starts.
Jeremy Peña continues to spark the Astros lineup with three homers and three doubles, while catcher Yainer Diaz has added timely hits despite a recent slump. For Toronto, George Springer leads the team with a .333 average, and Bo Bichette has been steady at the plate, going 14-for-45 over his last 10 games.
The Blue Jays have found success when they out-hit opponents, going 10-3 in those games—but Houston’s pitching staff has held opponents to just a 2.86 ERA over the past 10 outings.
The betting line has Toronto as slight road favorites at -120, with Houston at +100 and the over/under set at 8 runs.
Here's a look at tonight's lineup. Cam Smith gets the night off in right field, with Zach Dezenzo filling in. It appears Dezenzo's thumb is fine after banging it up sliding into second base a couple of night's ago.
Image via: MLB.com/Screenshot.
Jake Myers is also getting the night off as Chas McCormick gets the start in center. And Mauricio Dubon is getting the nod, starting over Brendan Rodgers at second base.