The Los Angeles Angels take on the Houston Astros in a three-game set. Los Angeles will send Michael Lorenzen to the mound, He went just three innings last time out, going three innings, allowing two runs on four hits. five strikeouts. He has faced the Astros once this season and it did not go well, allowing four runs on four hits in 3.1 innings. The Astros will counter with Cristian Javier on the mound. Last time out, he went seven no-hit innings with 13 strikeouts against the Yankees. Javier faced the Angels twice this season out of the bullpen and went 5.1 shutout innings and allowed five hits with one walk and seven strikeouts. Houston is 16-6 in their last 22 games vs AL West and 29-10 in their last 39 games vs RHP.
Los Angeles: 2-14 in their last 16 games vs a team with a winning record. This game comes down to pitching. Javier is 3-2 with a 2.41 ERA with a 1.02 WHIP in his last seven games while Lorenzen is 1-3 with a 6.75 ERA and a 1.75 WHIP in his last four starts. Houston is second with a 2.77 reliever ERA this year while Los Angeles is 18th in the sport with a 4.06 bullpen ERA so far. The Houston has too much at the plate and on the mound against an Angels team that has struggled all season. Houston has been almost unbeatable at home and that continues today.

Play on Houston. This is a 7* play.