Starting for Houston in the series opener is Collin McHugh (1-2, 4.01 ERA). He earned his first win of the season Saturday night, pitching six shutout innings in a 3-0 victory over the Oakland Athletics. McHugh looks to be back to his best after missing more than the first half of the Astros’ schedule because of an impingement in his pitching elbow. He induced 10 ground ball outs as Houston turned a season-high six double plays in that ballgame.
McHugh can’t do it all alone, though, and he needs the Astros hitters to contribute on the offensive end as well. Expected to lead Houston in that department against the Halos is Jose Altuve. He leads the majors in batting average this season. Altuve has fared extremely well against the Angels this campaign, batting .294 with a homer and seven RBIs (six games).
The Los Angeles Angels are right in the thick of the playoff hunt and they have Parker Bridwell to thank for that. The Angels have won each of their last eight games with Bridwell as their starter. The Angels, for that matter, are 12-1 in games Bridwell has pitched this season. Through 12 starts and a relief appearance, the 26-year-old rookie is 7-1 with a 2.92 ERA. Bridwell’s averaging 8.5 strikeouts per nine this season and owns a solid 1.18 WHIP. Only J.C. Ramirez and his 11 wins can best what Bridwell has done for the Halos this campaign.
As fabulous as Bridwell has been this season, he can’t do it all by himself. One guy who needs to step up for the Angels later tonight is Albert Pujols. He is 7-of-22 in his career against Houston starter Collin McHugh with a homer, four RBIs and four walks. He’s still getting it done at the ripe old age of 37, recently becoming the all-time home run leader among foreign born players. Pujols is on pace to reach the century mark in RBI for the 10th time in his illustrious career.
