Astros at Angels
All-Star Jose Altuve could miss his second straight game when the Houston Astros visit the Los Angeles Angels on Saturday. Altuve missed the opener of the three-game series due to a neck injury and manager A.J. Hinch termed his status as day-to-day.
Altuve was hurt while swinging the bat on Thursday, and both the American League batting leader and Hinch feel he could return during the series. "He's fine. He's still having a little bit of symptoms with his neck," Hinch told reporters. "He's not going to play until we feel like he is not going to irritate it anymore. Given the travel we had, I didn't really expect him to play (Friday) coming into the ballpark. So it's no surprise to me it's day-to-day." The Astros posted a 2-1 victory in the opener as Alex Bregman recorded his second straight three-hit performance to improve to 14-for-29 during his seven-game hitting streak. Los Angeles has lost four of its last five games and sits 1 1/2 games behind Minnesota for the AL's second wild-card spot.
TV: 9:07 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet-Southwest (Houston), FSN West (Los Angeles)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Brad Peacock (10-2, 3.21 ERA) vs. Angels LH Tyler Skaggs (1-4, 3.96)
Peacock lost to Oakland in his last turn, allowing three runs - one earned - and seven hits in 5 1/3 innings, after winning his previous seven decisions. The 29-year-old has only worked 10 total frames over his last two turns but has recorded 17 strikeouts during that stretch. Peacock is 3-2 with a 5.15 ERA in nine career appearances (six starts) against the Angels, including a loss on June 9 in which he yielded four runs, seven hits and four walks in three innings.
Skaggs has lost back-to-back starts and is 0-3 over his last four turns. The 26-year-old fell to Texas in his last start, when he gave up five runs - four earned - and four hits in 5 1/3 innings. Skaggs is 2-2 with a 2.49 ERA in four career starts against the Astros and has struggled to retire Altuve (4-for-9).
WALK-OFFS
1. The Astros are working on travel contingency plans in case they can't get back to Houston on Sunday due to Hurricane Harvey. The team is slated to open a home series against Texas on Tuesday.
2. Los Angeles CF Mike Trout is hitless in eight at-bats over his last three games and 3-for-22 over the last six contests.
3. Houston activated C/DH Evan Gattis from the seven-day concussion list and placed C Max Stassi (hand) on the 10-day disabled list.