Houston vs. Los Angeles, 7:10 PM CT
TV: CSN Houston
Radio: KBME 790 AM
Angels SBNation Blog: Halos Heaven
Pitching Match
RHP Jordan Lyles (0-0/ 3.40 ERA / 1.40 WHIP) vs. LHP C.J. Wilson (3-0 / 4.04 ERA / 1.57 WHIP)
Preview
After a quick glance over the current major league standings, only three teams have failed to record their twelfth win thus far in the young season. To no one's surprise that includes the Astros and Marlins, would you be astonished to find the Angels on that list as well? After sweeping the Tigers in late April, the Angels have gone 4-10. The Angels' problems have been twofold, the offense is in the bottom third of AL, and the pitching has been terrible. The only team with a higher team ERA then the Angels (4.78) is the Astros (5.75). Los Angeles leads the majors in walks given up and they are in the bottom third in strikeouts. The question will be, is this series beginning of the turnaround for Angels season or a cold dose of reality as the Astros humble the Angels?
Jordan Lyles makes his second start of the 2013 campaign tonight, after a solid five innings of work against the Tigers. Lyles struck out six, walked one, and only gave up two runs in the outing. On the bump for the California Anaheim Los Angeles Angels is C.J. Wilson. Wilson's stats thus far won't blow anyone away by any means, but he has been exactly what the Angels need thus far. He has pitched at least six innings every start this season except, giving up 16 runs over 35 2/3 innings. In Wilson's first start against Houston, he scattered 5 hits, 4 walks, 3 strikeouts, and picked up the win in 6 innings of work.
In the one game against Wilson, Chris Carter and Carlos Peña both drew two walks against the lefty. Carlos Corporan returns to the lineup after going 2 for 4 against Wilson. For Angels, Josh Hamilton will be happy to Jordan Lyles on the mound - his career average of the Astros righty is .571.