Los Angeles @ Houston preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 20, 2019 ) LA Angels 4, Houston 6

The Houston Astros own the best record in the majors and look to keep it that way as they go for a seventh straight victory when the struggling Los Angeles Angels pay a visit for the second of a three-game series Saturday night. The Astros (101-53) launched four homers en route to a 6-4 victory in the series opener Friday and lead the New York Yankees by 1 1/2 games for the best record in baseball with eight contests left.

Former MVP Jose Altuve has homered in four of his last six games to reach 30 for the first time in his career, while Houston teammate Carlos Correa went deep twice Friday after going hitless in 15 at-bats over his previous five contests. The Astros reduced their magic number to one in the American League West and will hand the ball to Wade Miley, who is 5-0 with a 2.09 ERA in six career outings against the Angels, while rookie Patrick Sandoval gets the start for Los Angeles in a battle of left-handers. The Angels have dropped nine of their last 11 games and will end the season without injured Mike Trout, Justin Upton and Shohei Ohtani in the lineup. Kole Calhoun (career-high 32 homers) extended his hitting streak to four games (6-for-16) with a single Friday for the Angels and shortstop Andrelton Simmons registered a two-run double.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels LH Patrick Sandoval (0-3, 4.91 ERA) vs. Astros LH Wade Miley (14-5, 3.71)

Sandoval has allowed three or fewer runs in six of his eight major-league appearances (seven starts) but is still looking for his first victory. The 22-year-old California native, who was an 11th-round pick of Houston in 2015, has struck out 38 batters across 33 innings since being recalled. Sandoval faces his former organization for the first time since being traded to the Angels in a deal for catcher Martin Maldonado on July 26, 2018.

Miley rebounded from back-to-back disastrous outings to limit Kansas City to two runs on seven hits over six innings for his 14th victory of the season. The 32-year-old Louisiana native retired just one batter in his previous two starts while permitting 12 runs on 12 hits and a pair of walks but has posted just one loss since mid-June. Albert Pujols is 4-for-16 with two homers versus Miley, who is 3-0 with a 2.20 ERA in three starts against the Angels in 2019.

WALK-OFFS

1. Houston 3B Alex Bregman belted his 38th homer Friday - the most for the club since Lance Berkman launched 45 in 2006.

2. Los Angeles C Kevan Smith homered Friday and is 10-for-23 with three RBIs over his last six contests.

3. The Astros activated RHP Ryan Pressly (knee) from the injured list Friday, and he struck out two in a scoreless inning.

PREDICTION: Astros 6, Angels 3