Los Angeles @ Houston preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 31, 2018 ) LA Angels 3, Houston 0

Josh James will make his major-league debut when the Houston Astros host the Los Angeles Angels on Saturday for the third contest of their four-game series. The 25-year-old James is receiving a chance after registering 171 strikeouts in 114 1/3 innings at the Double- and Triple-A levels.

James was a 34th-round draft pick out of Western Oklahoma State College in 2014 and truly has come out of nowhere to become part of the Astros' plans. "He's just performed his way to the big leagues," Houston manager A.J. Hinch told reporters before Friday's game. "He's punching out everybody in the minors. The next test for him is going to be at this level. He's conquered everything else. He's the best available, and has outperformed a lot of pitchers along the way to climb his way to the top of the list." The Astros hold a 1 1/2-game lead over Oakland in the American League West, but they will be hoping their offense will resurface after they recorded just six hits while being blanked 3-0 on Friday. Los Angeles' Andrelton Simmons belted a two-run homer and has gone 7-for-12 with five RBIs over his last three contests

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FS West (Los Angeles), AT&T SportsNet-Southwest (Houston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels RH Felix Pena (1-4, 4.52 ERA) vs. Astros RH Josh James (NR)

Pena has lost four straight decisions and is winless in his last nine turns since defeating Baltimore on June 29. The 28-year-old lost to the Astros in his last turn as he gave up three runs and five hits over six innings in his first career outing against the club. Pena registered a career-high 12 strikeouts versus Arizona in his previous outing, a no-decision in which he gave up four runs and seven hits over six frames.

James is starting in place of Charlie Morton, who landed on the 10-day disabled list with a shoulder injury earlier this week. James went 6-4 with a 3.23 ERA in 23 appearances (21 starts) at Double-A Corpus Christi and Triple-A Fresno, and Hinch is looking forward to seeing him pitch for the first time. "I'm excited to meet him," Hinch said. "I've never met him. I've never seen him in person. But our people, to a man, will tell you that stuff is real. It's high-end stuff, and he's performed his way to this opportunity."

WALK-OFFS

1. Astros 3B Alex Bregman went 0-for-3 on Friday, ending his 11-game hitting streak, but drew a walk to reach base in his 28th consecutive contest.

2. Los Angeles DH Shohei Ohtani, who went 1-for-3 on Friday, batted .328 with six homers and 18 RBIs in August.

3. Houston C Brian McCann (knee) and OF Jake Marisnick (groin) will be activated from the 10-day disabled list while LHP Cionel Perez will be recalled from Triple-A Fresno on Saturday, when rosters expand to 40.

PREDICTION: Astros 5, Angels 4