Astros at Angels
The Los Angeles Angels have ended a scoring funk and aim to win a series against the team with best record in the American League when they host the Houston Astros on Thursday for the finale of their three-game series. Los Angeles recorded eight extra-base hits in a 9-1 trouncing of the Astros (87-58) on Wednesday after scoring just 10 runs over its previous five contests.
Luis Valbuena and Justin Upton homered on Wednesday, and Upton's blast was the 250th of his career, gave him 100 RBIs for the season and ended his 14-game homerless drought. The Angels are two games behind Minnesota for the AL's second wild-card berth as they play the third contest of a nine-game homestand that includes sets with Texas and red-hot Cleveland. Houston has a magic number of five to clinch a playoff spot but is struggling with five losses in its last six games. Brian McCann is 26-for-76 with nine homers, five doubles and 28 RBIs against scheduled Angels starter Ricky Nolasco.
TV: 10:07 p.m. ET, MLB Network, AT&T SportsNet-Southwest (Houston), FSN West (Los Angeles)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Brad Peacock (10-2, 3.05 ERA) vs. Angels RH Ricky Nolasco (6-13, 5.19)
Peacock is winless in his last six outings but has suffered just one loss during the drought. The 29-year-old has struck out eight or more batters in four of his last five turns and has fanned a career-high 150 this season. Peacock is 0-1 with a 4.09 ERA in three appearances (two starts) against Los Angeles this season and 3-2 with a 4.64 ERA in 10 career appearances (seven starts).
Nolasco lasted just 3 2/3 innings in a loss to Seattle in his last turn - allowing four runs and six hits - and is winless over his last four outings. The 34-year-old has served up a career-worst 34 homers, third-most in the majors. Nolasco is 1-1 with a 3.79 ERA in three starts against the Astros this season and owns a 7-2 mark and 3.82 ERA in 12 career appearances (11 starts).
WALK-OFFS
1. Angels DH Albert Pujols hasn't homered this month despite being 17-for-40 with 12 RBIs.
2. Astros OF Jake Marisnick (thumb) departed Wednesday's game after being hurt on a head-first slide and will fly back to Houston on Thursday to undergo further examination.
3. Los Angeles RHP JC Ramirez (elbow) revealed Wednesday that he has a torn ulnar collateral ligament and is receiving stem-cell injections in hopes of avoiding Tommy John surgery.