Nearly half of Houston’s remaining games are against the Los Angeles Angels.
Starting tonight, the Houston Astros will play the Los Angeles Angels three times at Angels Stadium
Tonight just after half past eight, the Astros will lead off against Samuel Aldegheri at Angels Stadium. This series is the third of four this season between Houston and the Halos. The Astros and LA have split the first six games of the series. Houston’s last win, on June 8, would see Hunter Brown (2-5, 5.58) near the start of his turnaround. He went six shutout innings, striking out seven against two hits and four walks. Yordan Alvarez (13) went deep and led Houston’s offense with three hits — including two doubles. Jose Altuve also collected multiple hits, and Chas McCormick added a three-bagger in the 6-1 Houston victory.
We’re trying to keep it going. We’ve been playing some good baseball and it’s nice to contribute to that personally. — Hunter Brown
Houston completed a three-game series against the Oakland Athletics yesterday, winning the final contest, 6-3 after dropping the first two. (Fun fact: the average score of an MLB game over the past two years is 6-3). Ryan Pressly (2-3, 3.66) earned the win despite blowing a save. Framber Valdez struck out six and allowed one run on five hits and a walk over 6 1⁄3 innings for no decision. Yainer Diaz (three singles) and Jon Singleton (single, two doubles) collected three hits each — Kyle Tucker (single, double) and Mauricio Dubón (single, double) had two apiece — and Jason Heyward (7) took Mitch Spence deep in the victory.
He’s gotten some big hits. He gives you quality at-bats and finds the barrel and has the ability to walk. I’ve thrown a few guys out there and everyone finds a way to contribute and Jon has done a really, really good job. — Joe Espada, on Singleton
The Angels are coming off a 2-5 roadtrip, winning one game against the Texas Rangers and one against the Minnesota Twins. In the final matchup, on September 11, the Twins handed the Halos a 6-4 loss. Taylor Ward (23), Nolan Schanuel (13) and Jordyn Adams (1) went deep in defeat, while Jack Kochanowicz (2-5, 5.08) took the loss.
I was going up to the plate looking for something hard and obviously I got it. And I just tried not to miss it. I was fouling them back my previous two at-bats and that was my main focus. Just get it in play. — Adams, on his first career home run
Standings
Houston Astros: 78-68, .534, first in the AL West, four games ahead of the Seattle Mariners. Tied with the Minnesota Twins for fifth in the American League and 12th in MLB. Last 10: WLLLWWLLLW. On pace for 87-75. Fangraphs projects the same, with a 96.2 percent chance of reaching the playoffs.
Los Angeles Angels: 60-86, .411, fifth in the AL West, 18 games behind the Astros. Fourteenth in the American League, 27 1⁄2 games ahead of the Chicago White Sox. Twenty-seventh in MLB, 7 1⁄2 games ahead of the Colorado Rockies. Last 10: WLWLWLLWLL. On pace for 67-95. Fangraphs projects the same, but the Angels have been officially eliminated from postseason contention as of yesterday.
GameTimes and Starting Pitchers
Friday, 8:38 PM CT: Yusei Kikuchi (8-9, 4.31) vs. Samuel Aldegheri (1-1, 2.45)
Saturday, 8:38 PM CT: Justin Verlander (3-6, 5.30) vs. Tyler Anderson (10-12, 3.50)
Sunday, 3:07 PM CT: Ronel Blanco (10-6, 2.99) vs. Caden Dana (1-1, 9.00)