Game 140 Preview: Houston Astros vs Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Houston Astros (59-79) at Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (83-54), 7:10 p.m. (CST)

TV: CSN Houston, MLB.TV
Radio: KBME 790 AM, KLAT 1010 AM
Angels SBNation Blog: Halos Heaven

Pitching matchup

RHP Collin McHugh (7-9, 2.99 ERA, 1.12 WHIP) vs. RHP Jered Weaver (15-7, 3.57 ERA, 1.22 WHIP)

Preview

What start to the Lawless era of Astros baseball, a win with eight runs and four hits from Jose Altuve. The Astros hope to keep Tom Lawless and Adam Everett undefeated as the Astros manager and bench coach.

Collin McHugh takes the mound for the Astros looking to continue his August success, posting a 1.91 ERA in 37.2 innings during the month. He surrendered two or fewer runs in his five starts last month, and lasted at least six innings in four of the five. Doctor McHugh faces the (weeping) Angels for the fourth time this season, in his previous three starts he has a 2.25 ERA in 16 innings. The Astros righty had his shortest outing of the season against the Angels on July 6, going only four innings and allowing two runs. McHugh would go the disabled list after that start with arm trouble.

Looking over the Angels history against McHugh, only Kole Calhoun and Albert Pujols stick out in their small sample sizes. Calhoun is 3-for-8 with a double, and Pujols is 3-for-7 with a home run. Mike Trout is 0-fo-2 with two strikeouts.

Jered Weaver has been the horse at the top the Angels' rotation, Los Angeles is 19-and-10 in his starts. He is 8-2 in his starts since the All-Star Break. Weaver is coming off a seven shutout innings against the Athletics on August 29. The Angels starts has been at two extremes in his two starts against the Astros this season - giving up five runs over 5.2 innings on April 6 (including four home runs) and a one-run complete game on May 21.

Jason Castro is 2-for-6 with two extra-base hits against Weaver in his career. Jesus Guzman is 2-for-7 with a home run. Outside of that, there are  no bright spots for Houston.