Yordan Alvarez will be looking to extend his 30-game on-base streak as the Houston Astros (18-18) match up against the Los Angeles Angels (20-17) at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Wednesday with the three-game series in the balance.
The Astros evened up the series 1-1 after winning 3-1 on Tuesday. Framber Valdez went eight innings for the win, allowing one run on three hits and striking out 12, and Ryan Pressly earned his fifth save with a scoreless ninth.
Martin Maldonado was 1 for 4 with a home run and two RBIs in the win. David Hensley added one run on one hit. Zach Neto’s on-base streak is now at 10 games as he went 1 for 3 with a solo home run for the Angels.
ON THE MOUND
Cristian Javier (2-1, 3.54 ERA) is in line to take the mound for Houston. The RHP allowed three runs over seven innings in his last start, a 6-4 road win over the Mariners on Friday. He yielded three hits while striking out eight and walking two in the no-decision.
Javier is making his first appearance against the Angels this season. Over four appearances (two starts) against the Angels in 2022, Javier was 1-1 with a 2.25 ERA over 16.0 innings. He had 31 strikeouts and four walks.
For Los Angeles, right-hander Griffin Canning (2-0, 5.31 ERA) will toe the rubber. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Astros. In his last start on Thursday, Canning got the win on the road against the Cardinals. He threw five innings and gave up five runs on six hits, striking out three and walking three in the 11-7 triumph.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Houston has averaged 3.8 runs a game, a small drop compared to their season average of 4.3. Against right-handed pitchers like Canning this season, the ‘Stros have a .650 OPS, fourth lowest in MLB. Alvarez is the team’s best performer against right-handers with a .893 OPS in 68 at-bats.
Los Angeles is averaging only 4.2 runs per game in the last five, down slightly from 5.2 for the season. The Halos have a .742 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .963 OPS over 95 at-bats, Mike Trout has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Houston is 10-7 on the road in 2023, scoring 4.5 runs per game while allowing 3.5 runs. Los Angeles has gone 10-8 in front of their home fans this season, averaging 5.6 runs per game while surrendering 5.8. Houston is 6-4 in the last 10 games between the AL West rivals at Angel Stadium of Anaheim with an average scoreline of 3.5-2.9.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Astros are third in the AL West, three games behind the division-leading Rangers. The Angels are second in the AL West, two games behind the Rangers.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Houston Astros (-130)
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