The Houston Astros (56-45) joined the Halos atop the American League West division last night, thanks to a dominating 10-5 win over the Los Angeles Angels (55-44) in the series’ opener. One team’s about to get a solo share of the No. 1 spot in the division, though, after tonight’s matchup.
Read on for a detailed preview of this game. You can also click here for an overview of tonight’s matchup between the Reds and the Cards.
[sc:MLBArticles ]Los Angeles Angels vs. Houston Astros Preview
Where: Minute Maid Park, Houston
When: Wednesday, July 29, 2015, 8:00 PM ET
Line: Los Angeles Angels (+107) vs. Houston Astros (-117); total: 7.5 – view all MLB lines
Betting on the Los Angeles Angels
[sc:MLB240banner ]Coming off a tough loss, Angels ace Garrett Richards (10-7, 3.25 ERA) aims for a pick-me up performance when he takes the mound at Minute Maid Park to face the Astros for the third time this season.
Against Minnesota last Thursday, Richards pitched for 8.0 innings and gave up three earned runs (off a three-run homer) on four hits in an Angels’ 3-0 loss. It didn’t help Richards, however, that the Angels’ offense was simply absent against the Twins, as Mike Trout and company went just 4-for-31 at the plate.
Speaking of Trout, the Angels’ outfielder is having quite a month. So far this July, Trout has posted a triple slash line of .361/.459/.833 to go along with 11 homers and 21 RBIs. He did miss the series opener against Houston, though, because of a hurting wrist. If Trout is forced to sit tonight’s game, expect Pujols to take over the third hole. Pujols is 5-for-19 in his last three games.
Second baseman Johnny Giavotella, meanwhile, is having a blast atop the batting order of late. He is 9-for-26 (.346) with three doubles over his last six games.
Richards have split his previous two starts against Houston this season. In the first meeting, Richards tossed five innings and allowed three earned runs on five hits in a 4-3 loss on April 19. Richards was excellent the second time around, as he limited the Astros to just one run (a homer) in six plus innings of work in LA’s 3-1 win on May 10. Richards is 5-2 with a 3.50 ERA in 11 career starts opposite the Astros.
Dating back to 2014, the Halos are 2-1 in Richards’ last three starts in Houston.
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Betting on the Houston Astros
Lance McCullers (4-3, 2.60 ERA) should find a fix to his control issues if he wants success against the Angels’ lineup later tonight. The 21-year-old pitcher was shaky once again in his last start—a 5-4 win over Boston on Thursday—as he allowed two runs on six hits but issued three free passes in just five innings of work.
To emphasize on McCullers’ struggle in finding the strike zone, consider that the righty has dished out 21 walks in 31.1 innings across his last seven starts. That span includes his six-inning outing against the Angels on June 24, when he limited LA to just one run on four hits but gave up three walks in a 2-1 loss.
Having said all that, McCullers still managed to collect a 2-2 record and an impressive 2.82 ERA during that stretch.
Aside from McCullers’ control, another key for Houston is their offense that has been averaging 5.2 runs in 10 games thus far in the season’s second half. Jose Altuve continues to hit well since the All-Star break, as the second baseman is 11-for-26 (.423) in his last six games. He’ll walk into the plate against Richards with a chance to improve his career average of .320 (8-for-25) in their matchup.
Altuve went 3-for-5 with a double in last night’s 10-5 win over the Angels.
Writer’s Prediction
Houston (-117) wins, 6-3.
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