Houston @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 26, 2019 ) Houston 3, LA Angels 4

The Houston Astros continue their quest to claim homefield advantage throughout the postseason when they visit the Los Angeles Angels on Friday in the second contest of a four-game set. Houston (104-55) dropped the opener 4-3 in 12 innings on Thursday and is one game ahead of the Los Angeles Dodgers and two in front of the New York Yankees for the best record in the majors.

The Astros shut down shortstop Carlos Correa (back) for the rest of the regular season in hopes the recuperation time will allow him to be fully healthy for the start of the postseason. "There's certain timing and rhythm and playing he needs to do to make us all feel better," Houston manager A.J. Hinch told reporters. "He played very well when he was active a couple of days ago. He's very, very good. I know he'll be able to respond. I think anybody in my seat will feel better when he's on the field and playing." The Angels won for just the ninth time in their past 31 games when Andrelton Simmons reached on an error to plate Kaleb Cowart on Thursday for the club's fourth walk-off win of the season. "Finish strong," Simmons said of the weekend's goal in a postgame television interview. "We have to look forward for next year so we can finish on a high note."

TV: 10:07 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet Southwest Houston, FS West (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Jose Urquidy (1-1, 4.63 ERA) vs. Angels LH Patrick Sandoval (0-3, 5.25)

Urquidy is making his seventh start of the season and a good outing could propel him into the playoff rotation when Houston requires a fourth starter. The 24-year-old has struck out 38 and walked just six in 35 innings and fanned a season-best 10 against the Oakland Athletics in five innings on Sept. 11. Urquidy gave up one run and three hits in four innings of relief against the Angels last Saturday and was roughed up by Los Angeles on July 7 when he allowed five runs and eight hits in 2 1/3 innings during a no-decision.

Sandoval is making his ninth start of the season and is expected to throw between 50-to-60 pitches before departing. The 22-year-old pitched three innings against the Astros last Saturday when he gave up three runs and two hits in a no-decision. Sandoval has pitched as many as five innings just twice in his first nine big league appearances.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Angels are 5-11 versus the Astros this season after winning the opener.

2. Houston RF Josh Reddick went 5-for-6 in the opener to match the career-best five-hit effort he had against the Kansas City Royals on Sept. 15.

3. Los Angeles All-Star Tommy La Stella will return from a broken leg suffered in early July to be the DH on Friday.

PREDICTION: Astros 5, Angels 3