Houston at LA Angels - May 15^th 2018 10:07 PM ^ET Preview

Houston right-hander Gerrit Cole is off to a sensational start with his lone loss of the season coming against the Los Angeles Angels on April 23. Cole will try to avenge that setback when the Astros visit the Angels on Tuesday in the middle contest of a three-game set.

Cole leads the majors with 86 strikeouts in just 56 2/3 innings and his 1.43 ERA is second behind teammate Justin Verlander (1.21). He gave up just two runs and four hits in his loss to the Angels but the Houston hitters were blanked by Tyler Skaggs and two relievers. Justin Upton delivered the tiebreaking single in the sixth inning in Monday's opener as the Angels posted a 2-1 victory to move into a virtual tie for first place with the Astros in the American League West. Albert Pujols was hitless in three at-bats in the opener and is mired in a nine-game homerless drought.

TV: 10:07 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet Southwest (Houston), FS West (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Gerrit Cole (4-1, 1.43 ERA) vs. Angels RH Jaime Barria (3-1, 2.45)

Cole has allowed just 30 hits and 12 walks while recording an 0.74 WHIP and holding opposing batters to a .155 average. The 27-year-old defeated the Oakland Athletics in his last outing when he gave up one run and four hits and struck out nine in six innings. Cole is 1-1 with a 3.15 ERA in three career starts against the Angels and has shut down Ian Kinsler (2-for-20) and Zack Cozart (1-for-16).

Barria defeated the Colorado Rockies in his last turn when he gave up five hits and struck out seven in 5 1/3 scoreless innings. The 21-year-old has allowed just three total runs in his three victories and is limiting opposing batters to a .217 average. Barria has struck out 13 and walked seven in 18 1/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Angels RF Kole Calhoun was hitless in three at-bats on Monday and is 2-for-22 over his last seven appearances.

2. Houston 2B Jose Altuve had a single in the opener, his lone hit in 17 at-bats over the past four games.

3. Los Angeles RHP Keynan Middleton (elbow) was found to have ulnar collateral ligament damage during Monday's MRI exam and will get a second opinion.