It’s been entertaining to watch the Los Angeles Angels (55-43) and the Houston Astros (55-45) jostle for position atop the American League West division. Houston lost its grip of the No. 1 slot in the AL West, mostly because of a meltdown late in the first half. But thanks to a hot start in the second half, the Astros have inched to within just a game behind the Halos in the standings.
Which team draws first blood in this intriguing three-game series at Minute Maid Park? Read on for a detailed preview of this game. You can also click here for an overview of tonight’s matchup between the A’s and the Dodgers.
[sc:MLBArticles ]Los Angeles Angels vs. Houston Astros Preview
Where: Minute Maid Park, Houston
When: Tuesday, July 28, 2015, 8:10 PM ET
Line: Los Angeles Angels (+110) vs. Houston Astros (-120); total: 8.0 – view all MLB lines
Betting on the Los Angeles Angels
[sc:MLB240banner ]In case you haven’t heard, Mike Trout is a damn good player. Trout showed once again why he’s among the best today when he went 4-for-4 with two homers and five RBIs in LA’s 13-7 win over Texas on Sunday.Thanks to Trout’s big night, the Halos were able to break their three-game skid and now have a win to build on when they head to Houston for a three-game series against the Astros.
In Game 1 of the series, the Halos will give the ball to C.J. Wilson (8-7, 3.59 ERA), who’s been pitching well this month. In four starts thus far this July, the lefty has compiled a 2-1 record to go along with a 2.81 ERA and a .229 opponents’ batting average. That includes his performance in the Angels’ 5-2 win over Minnesota last Wednesday, when he allowed two runs on six hits in five innings of work. It wasn’t one of Wilson’s best nights, as his 105-pitch count in five innings suggests, but he’s nonetheless set the table for an opportunity to pick up back-to-back wins for the first time this month.
Wilson sure could use some help later tonight from Trout and company.
Trout’s strong performance in the aforementioned Texas game has raised his batting average over his last four games to .562 (9-for-16) that comes with three jacks and seven RBIs. Albert Pujols, on the other hand, is 11-for-33 (.333) with three home runs and six RBIs on his last eight games.
LA is 3-1 in its last four games versus Houston.
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Betting on the Houston Astros
Is Houston’s offense beginning to dry up again? After averaging 5.7 runs in their first seven games of the second half, the Astros managed to score just two runs total over the team’s two losses against the Royals this past weekend. Collin McHugh (11-5, 4.25 ERA) is hoping that the Astros’ hitters will rebound when he takes the hill at home later tonight.
McHugh, however, has been able to survive his last two starts despite Houston posting just two runs in each. That includes his sterling performance in Houston’s 4-2 win over the Red Sox on Wednesday, wherein he tossed seven innings and allowed only two runs on seven hits, while issuing just one free pass. Prior to that, McHugh gave up only a run on 11 hits with four strikeouts and no walks in a 3-2 victory over Texas on July 17.
The Astros need their offense to step up again. It’ll help them a lot if Luis Valbuena remembers how to use his bat. The third baseman has been awful at the plate, going just 0-for-14 in his last four games. Jose Altuve, meanwhile, has been the Astros best hitter in their last few games, as the diminutive second baseman is 10-for-24 (.417) with a homer and three RBIs in his past six games. In addition, Altuve is 9-for-31 (.290) with two homers and three RBIs in his career against the Angels’ Wilson.
Houston is 4-1 in its last five games against a lefty starter.
Writer’s Prediction
LA wins, 4-2. [sc:MLB490banner ]
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