BIG TIME
UH's Oliver makes Sports Illustrated cover
SportsMap Staff
Aug 7, 2018, 11:56 am
Ed Oliver keeps garnering attention. Sports Illustrated
University of Houston star defensive lineman Ed Oliver picked up some more pre-season recognition this week.
Oliver, a junior who is expected to be a top 5 pick in the NFL draft next year, has made numerous watch lists and “best college players for 2018” lists. This week he appeared on one of the covers for Sports Illustrated's college football preseason edition.
Also on Tuesday, Oliver was named the top player in college football by ESPN.
Oliver, a 5-star recruit out of high school, has more thab lived up to the billing in his first two seasons as a dominant defensive force. Earlier this summer, SI named Oliver the top college player in the country.
Now if he can only avoid that cover jinx…
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The Astros open a three-game set Tuesday night against the struggling Chicago White Sox, looking to put together a solid homestand and maintain their lead atop the AL West.
Houston enters the series at 36-29, including a 22-12 mark at Daikin Park, where they've consistently found ways to win behind timely hitting and quality pitching. They'll send Lance McCullers (1-1, 4.44 ERA) to the mound, hoping he can keep the momentum going against a White Sox team that has labored all year, particularly on the road.
Chicago comes in at 22-44 overall and just 6-26 away from home, though starter Shane Smith (2-3, 2.45 ERA) has been a bright spot in an otherwise dim season. He’ll be tasked with trying to quiet a Houston lineup that’s been inconsistent of late but remains dangerous when it clicks — the Astros are 20-3 in games where they score five or more runs.
Jeremy Peña continues to lead the way at the plate, hitting .316 with nine homers and 32 RBIs, while Jake Meyers is coming off a four-hit game on Sunday and is 11-for-35 over the past 10 games. If those two stay hot, Houston could have an edge against the young right-hander.
The White Sox have gotten recent production from Chase Meidroth and Miguel Vargas, but overall remain one of the most inconsistent offenses in the league. Like Houston, they tend to win when they hit — they’re 14-3 in games where they’ve scored at least five runs — but those games have been few and far between.
Both teams have shown flashes in recent days. Over their last 10 games, the Astros are 6-4 but have been outscored overall, while the White Sox are 4-6 despite a slightly better run differential. With Houston favored at -195 and an over/under of 8, the pressure will be on McCullers to set the tone early — and on the bats to back him up.
The teams will meet for the fourth time this season Tuesday night, with first pitch set for 8:10 p.m. ET.
*ChatGPT assisted.
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