The Los Angeles Angels (46-47) hope to win their series against Houston (51-42) when they meet on Sunday night at 7:10pmET. As the Aug. 1 trade deadline nears, the Angels will need to make some big decisions, especially on superstar Shohei Ohtani.
On Saturday night, Houston blew a 9-3 and 12-9 lead to lose 13-12 in 10 innings.
Lefty Framber Valdez had 13 strikeouts on Saturday, but allowed five runs and left the seventh inning with a calf injury. Houston's bullpen wound up allowing six runs as Ryne Stanek and Ryan Pressly gave up three hits apiece. To make matters worse, Grae Kessinger's throwing error allowed the Angels to complete the comeback with the 13-12 win. Jose Abreu (8th) and Chas McCormick (9th) both hit home runs and Kyle Tucker recorded three RBIs.
Hustling for an insurance run. pic.twitter.com/xG3iyqFBBk
— Houston Astros (@astros) July 16, 2023
Houston will send right-hander Cristian Javier to the mound. Javier is 7-1 with a 4.34 ERA this season. He's really struggled over his last three starts, allowing 18 runs and four home runs. On July 3, he allowed eight runs in 4.1 innings against Texas on the road. He has had a lot of success against the Angels, including this season where he's struck out 16 and allowed three runs in 12 innings.