Houston @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 13, 2013 ) Houston 4, LA Angels 5

The Los Angeles Angels will try to win two in a row for the first time this season when they host the Houston Astros on Sunday in the finale of their three-game series. The Angels recorded a much-needed victory Saturday, getting a two-run walk-off double from Albert Pujols to lift them to a 5-4 win and end a five-game losing streak. The Angels were off to their worst start since their inaugural 1961 season.

The Astros have regrouped after a 1-6 start and will be trying to win their first road series since taking two out of three from the Chicago White Sox last June. Jose Altuve has been clutch in the leadoff spot, hitting a team-high .348. The Angels recently bumped Mike Trout from leadoff to the No. 2 hole and the 2012 American League Rookie of the Year responded Saturday with two hits to raise his average to .245. Josh Hamilton also homered Saturday, his first since coming to the Angels and their first at home this season, and Pujols had two hits to give him seven in the last four games.

TV: 3:35 p.m. ET, Comcast SportsNet Houston, Fox Sports West (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Philip Humber (0-2, 3.09) vs. Angels LH C.J. Wilson (0-0, 5.25)

When the Astros clinched their last road series, Humber was the losing pitcher in the final game for the White Sox. Despite throwing a perfect game for Chicago last April, he was claimed off waivers by the Astros in the off-season after suffering through a poor second half. Humber has been solid in his first two starts but the Astros have been shut out in both games. Pujols and Trout have each homered in four at-bats against Humber in their careers.

Wilson has some interleague experience against the Astros from when he was with the Texas Rangers. He has made four starts and 14 career appearances against Houston, owning a 3-1 record and a 3.68 ERA. Houston outfielder Chris Carter, who is 10-for-19 in the last four games with four home runs, is 3-for-4 in his career against Wilson. The left-hander has thrown six innings in each of his first two starts but has allowed a combined 11 hits and seven walks.

WALK-OFFS

1. Angels 3B Luis Jimenez is 2-for-6 since he was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake to bolster an infield thinned by injuries to 3B Alberto Callaspo (calf) and SS Erick Aybar (heel).

2. Pujols has four walk-off hits against the Astros in his career, the most against any team among his 15 walk-offs.

3. Angels OF J.B. Shuck batted leadoff Saturday, becoming the team’s fourth different leadoff batter in the last four games

PREDICTION: Angels 6, Astros 2