Series Preview: Houston Astros at Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, September 11-13, 2015

Series Preview: Houston Astros at Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, September 11-13, 2015

Houston has struggled these past few games at home and on the road, having won just four out of their last 10 games. The Astros are currently are set to play their fourth game of a 10-game road trip. They face the only other team to lead in the American League West this season, the Angels.

The Angels' footing in the standings has slipped away, as the Halos have gone 22-29 since the All-Star break and a dismal 10-19 in August. Houston is 8-5 against the Halos and are 5.5 games up on them in the standings.

A sweep would put the L.A. out of the running for good, but a drop three games and Houston could have more then just the Rangers to worry about.

Pitchers

Friday: LHP Dallas Keuchel (17-6, 2.29 ERA, 0.99 WHIP) vs. RHP Jered Weaver (6-10, 4.78 ERA, 1.23 WHIP)
Saturday: RHP Lance McCullers (5-5, 3.07 ERA, 1.18 WHIP) vs. LHP Hector Santiago (8-9, 3.24 ERA, 1.23 WHIP)
Sunday: RHP Mike Fiers (7-10, 3.66 ERA, 1.30 WHIP) vs. LHP Andrew Heaney (6-3, 3.52 ERA, 1.16 WHIP)

Dallas Keuchel has put a deeper hold on the 2015 Cy-Young award with a record of 5-1 in his last seven starts -- a 2.17 ERA, 53 strikeouts, and 10 walks in 49 2/3 innings. This season Jered Weaver has allowed just two runs over 15 innings against the Astros this season. He's has struggled his last few outings, he's 2-3 with a 5.09 ERA in his last seven starts.

Lance McCullers has three-straight quality starts under his belt coming into his start on Saturday, he has 22 strikeouts in his last 20 innings. Hector Santiago is 1-4 with a 5.14 ERA in his last seven starts. He pitched six scoreless innings against the Rangers on Sept. 6.

Mike Fiers is 2-2 with a 2.93 ERA in his last seven appearances. He struck out 40 in his last 43 innings. Andrew Heaney made his major league debut against the Astros, allowing one run over six inning on June 24. Heaney is 1-2 with a 5.35 ERA in his last seven games.

Batting

Marwin Gonzalez is batting .500 over his last 16 at-bats with two doubles. Jake Marisnick, too, is batting .500 (3x6) with tow home runs and six RBIs. Carlos Gomez is coming alive, batting .333 (8x24) with two home runs and three RBIs.

Taylor Featherston is leading the way for the Halos, batting .389 (7x18) with two extra-base hits and two RBIs.David Freese is batting .381 with five doubles and two RBIs in his last 21 at-bats. Mike Trout is batting .200 (4x20) with a home run and two RBIs.

Prediction

I'm going out on a limb. The Astros put the Angels out of their misery, and sweep the series. They find a way against Jarred Weaver in game one, the hardest test for the Astros lineup.

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