Angels at Astros
The Los Angeles Angels halted a seven-game slide against Houston in the series opener and look to follow up with another triumph when they visit the Astros on Saturday for the middle contest of their three-game set. Mike Trout hit his 26th homer to increase his lead in the American League as the Angels belted four shots in Friday's 5-4 victory.
Kole Calhoun, Shohei Ohtani and Andrelton Simmons also went deep as Los Angeles improved to 3-1 since the tragic death of pitcher Tyler Skaggs. Albert Pujols (foot) was back in the lineup after a two-game absence and went 1-for-4 while Calhoun (two) was the lone Angel to record multiple hits. The Astros had their five-game winning streak halted despite having Michael Brantley match his career high of four hits and fall a triple shy of the cycle. Yuli Gurriel homered for Houston, giving him four blasts in his last three games and seven in his last nine.
TV: 7:15 p.m. ET, FOX
PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels LH Andrew Heaney (1-2, 5.40 ERA) vs. Astros RH Gerrit Cole (8-5, 3.28)
Heaney was roughed up for five runs and six hits over six innings while losing to Oakland in his last turn. The 28-year-old has allowed five runs in three of his last five starts, issuing three or more walks in three of those turns. Heaney is 3-2 with a 3.15 ERA in seven career starts against the Astros and has struggled versus Jose Altuve (7-for-19, one homer) but has shut down Alex Bregman (2-for-14).
Cole has won four consecutive decisions and allowed fewer than three earned runs in each of his last seven turns while earning his third career All-Star invitation. The 28-year-old beat Seattle in his last turn as he gave up one run and five hits while registering 10 strikeouts in seven innings. Cole is 3-1 with a 3.58 ERA in six career starts versus the Angels and has had trouble against Jonathan Lucroy (11-for-29, seven RBIs) while controlling Calhoun (2-for-13, seven strikeouts).
WALK-OFFS
1. Angels LF Justin Upton (quadriceps) sat out the series opener but is expected to return on Saturday.
2. Houston RHP Corbin Martin (elbow), the organization's No. 4 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, underwent Tommy John surgery on Wednesday and is expected to miss the majority of the 2020 season.
3. Los Angeles RHP Matt Harvey (back) is slated to make his final rehab start on Sunday - this one at Triple-A Salt Lake - before rejoining the Angels after the All-Star break.