Los Angeles @ Houston preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 29, 2013 ) LA Angels 7, Houston 2

The Los Angeles Angels are showing signs of being the team that was expected to contend for the American League West title this year. The Angels will go for their sixth consecutive victory and a three-game sweep in Sunday's series finale against the host Houston Astros. Los Angeles had lost seven of 10 to the Astros entering the series, including a four-game sweep at home four weeks ago, but the current winning streak has moved them within five games of .500 at the season's midway point.

The Astros had scored at least four runs in six of eight games before the Angels came to town, but their offensive doldrums have returned with four runs and 11 hits combined in the first two contests. Houston has scored two runs or fewer in 15 of 26 games in June. Brett Wallace, who has hit safely in all four games since his recall from the minors, supplied the only offense Saturday with a two-run homer to give him five RBIs in the four contests.

TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, FSN West (Los Angeles), CSN (Houston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels LH C.J. Wilson (7-5, 3.88 ERA) vs. Astros RH Lucas Harrell (5-8, 4.84)

Wilson was shaky last time out but rode his team's 14-run outburst to win his third consecutive start despite giving up five runs over five innings in Detroit. He had been superb in his previous two outings, working seven frames in each and permitting a total of two runs. Wilson is 1-2 in three starts this year against Houston, allowing six earned runs and striking out 24 over 19 2/3 innings.

Harrell's inconsistent season continued with a dud in his last start, when he was battered for seven runs and walked four in 3 1/3 innings. It marked the fifth start in which Harrell has yielded at least five runs, a stark contrast to the nine outings in which he has permitted one run or less. He has two no-decisions against the Angels this season, giving up two earned runs in 10 2/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Angels SS Erick Aybar has knocked in two runs in each of the first two games and has 17 RBIs in his last 16 contests.

2. Houston has committed four errors in the series, boosting their season total to a major league-high 65.

3. Angels RF Josh Hamilton is 3-for-7 with a pair of homers against Harrell.

PREDICTION: Angels 5, Astros 3