Astros at Angels
The Houston Astros are having a dreadful time despite their large lead in the American League West and could be without MVP candidate Jose Altuve when they open a three-game series against the host Los Angeles Angels on Friday. Altuve left Thursday's 5-4, 11-inning loss to Washington after injuring his neck while batting against Stephen Strasburg.
Altuve, who leads the majors with a .357 batting average, probably will be given time to recover as Houston owns a 12 1/2-game lead over the Angels in the division. "You have to be worried," Altuve told reporters afterward, "but to be honest with you, I don't think it is something that is really, really bad." The loss to Washington was Houston's 16th in its last 25 games while Los Angeles has dropped three of its last four contests after winning nine of its previous 11. The Angels were blanked 3-0 by Texas on Thursday and sit one-half game behind Minnesota for the AL's second wild-card spot.
TV: 10:07 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet-Southwest (Houston), FSN West (Los Angeles)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Collin McHugh (1-2, 4.01 ERA) vs. Angels RH Parker Bridwell (7-1, 2.92)
McHugh defeated Oakland in his last start as he gave up six hits over six scoreless innings. The 30-year-old has allowed fewer than three runs in four of his six starts since returning from an elbow injury. McHugh has fared well against the Angels, going 6-2 with a 2.55 ERA in 11 career starts, but has served up two homers to Mike Trout (6-for-21).
Bridwell has won his last five decisions and is unbeaten in his past eight starts. The 26-year-old has allowed fewer than three runs in seven of the outings and six or fewer hits in all eight. Bridwell is making his first career start versus the Astros but did yield one run in two innings of relief against Houston in his major-league debut on Aug. 21, 2016 while with Baltimore.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Astros activated Brian McCann (knee) from the 10-day disabled list and optioned fellow C Juan Centeno to Triple-A Fresno.
2. Trout, who is hitless in six at-bats over his last two contests, is batting .389 with one homer against Houston this season.
3. Houston INF Alex Bregman recorded three hits Thursday and is 11-for-25 with three homers during his six-game hitting streak.