Houston @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 3, 2014 ) LA Angels 1, Houston 4

The surging Los Angeles Angels are streaking toward their first American League West title since 2009. The Angels look to inch closer to division glory and vie for their season-high ninth straight victory when they open a three-game series versus the visiting Houston Astros on Friday. Erick Aybar belted a two-run homer in Los Angeles' 7-3 triumph over tumbling Texas on Thursday and is 37-for-97 since Aug. 16.

The Angels improved to a season-best 36 games over .500 and lead second-place Oakland by 10 with 16 remaining on their schedule. Despite the dominance in the division, Los Angeles was outscored 12-4 en route to losing an abbreviated two-game series versus Houston on Sept. 2-3. The Astros have won eight of their last 10 and are paced by Jose Altuve, who recorded his major league-best 200th hit in Wednesday's 5-2 win over Seattle and sits 10 shy of Craig Biggio's club record.

TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, CSN Houston, FSN West (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros LH Brett Oberholtzer (5-10, 4.38 ERA) vs. Angels LH C.J. Wilson (11-9, 4.64)

Oberholtzer posted his first victory since Aug. 2 on Friday, allowing three runs in 6 1/3 innings in a 4-3 triumph over the Athletics. The 25-year-old took it on the chin in his lone outing this season against Los Angeles, permitting five runs on nine hits in 6 1/3 frames en route to a 5-2 setback on July 3. Oberholtzer is 1-2 with a 5.89 ERA in three career meetings with the Angels while allowing the club to bat .310 against him.

Wilson recorded his first win since Aug. 18 after yielding three runs in 6 1/3 innings en route to a 14-4 victory over Minnesota on Sunday. The 33-year-old issued four walks in that contest, marking the seventh time he has allowed at least that many. Wilson owns a 1-2 mark with an 8.35 ERA in four starts versus Houston this season, dropping his last two decisions after yielding five runs in short appearances.

WALK-OFFS

1. Los Angeles 2B Howie Kendrick, who is riding an eight-game hitting streak, is 3-for-6 with two RBIs versus Olberholtzer.

2. Houston DH Chris Carter, who is 9-for-24 in his career versus Wilson, is 12-for-32 during his nine-game hitting streak.

3. Angels 3B David Freese ripped a two-run single on Thursday and went 2-for-3 versus Olberholtzer.

PREDICTION: Angels 6, Astros 2