Angels at Astros
Michael Brantley looks to extend his hitting streak to 16 games when the Houston Astros host the Los Angeles Angels on Friday for the opener of their three-game series. Brantley went 3-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs as Houston posted a 6-3 victory over Detroit on Thursday.
Brantley is 30-for-63 with two homers, 15 RBIs and 19 runs on a tear during which he has raised his batting average to .338. Alex Bregman belted his 31st homer - a two-run shot - to match the career high he established last season as Houston won for just the fourth time in 10 games. The Angels opened their seven-game road trip by losing three of four against Texas, with all three setbacks coming by one run. Los Angeles has experienced struggles in Houston, losing seven of its last eight contests at Minute Maid Park.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FS West (Los Angeles), AT&T SportsNet-Southwest (Houston)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels LH Jose Suarez (2-4 6.75 ERA) vs. Astros RH Zack Greinke (13-4, 2.84)
Suarez will start in the rotation spot of rookie Griffin Canning (elbow), who was declared out for the season on Thursday. The 21-year-old Suarez will be making his 12th start and 13th appearance as he has served up 16 homers in just 53 1/3 innings. Suarez settled for a no-decision against Houston on July 7, when he gave up two runs and five hits over 3 1/3 frames.
Greinke is 3-0 with a 2.37 ERA in three starts since being acquired from Arizona before the trade deadline. The 35-year-old defeated Oakland in his last turn as he gave up one run and four hits over seven innings. Greinke is 4-5 with a 3.94 ERA in 13 career appearances (12 starts) against the Angels and has struggled with Mike Trout (6-for-15), Justin Upton (11-for-31, three homers) and Albert Pujols (11-for-32, one homer).
WALK-OFFS
1. Astros 2B Jose Altuve went 0-for-3 with a walk on Thursday for his third hitless effort in the last five games.
2. Los Angeles INF David Fletcher recorded three hits in Wednesday's loss to the Rangers and is 17-for-44 with 12 runs scored over his last 10 contests.
3. Houston placed All-Star RHP Ryan Pressley (knee) on the 10-day injured list and optioned INF Jack Mayfield to Triple-A Round Rock while recalling RHP Joe Biagini, who allowed three runs while recording two outs on Thursday, and purchasing the contract of INF Abraham Toro, who went 0-for-4 in his major-league debut, from the Express.