Houston @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 21, 2018 ) Houston 7, LA Angels 0

The Houston Astros attempt to complete their third series sweep of the month when they visit the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday for the finale of their three-game set. Houston, which won a two-game series at Texas from July 3-4 and followed with a four-game shellacking of the Chicago White Sox, has come out of the All-Star break and won back-to-back contests against the Angels.

George Springer highlighted a five-run sixth inning with his fifth career grand slam and Justin Verlander struck out 11 over six scoreless frames to end his six-start winless streak as the Astros posted a 7-0 victory on Saturday. Yuli Gurriel lifted a sacrifice fly but went 0-for-4 in the win, ending his hitting streak at 13 games. Japanese two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani recorded two doubles while David Fletcher hit a pair of singles as Los Angeles suffered its third consecutive setback. Ian Kinsler enters the finale with a six-game hitting streak during which he has gone 8-for-24.

TV: 4:07 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet Southwest (Houston), FS West (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Lance McCullers Jr. (10-4, 3.77 ERA) vs. Angels LH Andrew Heaney (5-6, 3.78)

McCullers won four straight decisions before falling to Oakland on July 11, when he was tagged for six runs on four hits and five walks over four innings. The 24-year-old Floridian registered only one strikeout in the loss after fanning a season-high 12 batters in a triumph over the Chicago White Sox in his previous outing. McCullers is 3-2 with a 1.90 ERA in 10 career starts against the Angels, including a road loss on May 14 in which he gave up two runs across six frames.

Heaney is coming off a no-decision at the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 14, when he allowed three runs and six hits over 6 1/3 innings. The 27-year-old native of Oklahoma registered six strikeouts in that outing after recording 10 in each of his previous two turns. Heaney, who owns a 0.95 ERA against Houston notched his first win in three career starts versus the Astros on May 14 after giving up one run and four hits with 10 strikeouts over eight frames while pitching opposite McCullers.

WALK-OFFS

1. Angels OF Justin Upton has hit safely in four straight games, going 5-for-13 in that span.

2. Springer had gone 24 contests without a home run prior to Saturday's grand slam.

3. The Angels activated Nick Tropeano (shoulder), who took the loss Saturday after allowing two runs over five innings, from the 10-day disabled list and optioned fellow RHP Eduardo Paredes to Triple-A Salt Lake.

PREDICTION: Astros 6, Angels 2