Houston @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 27, 2019 ) Houston 4, LA Angels 0

Justin Verlander is just six away from becoming the 18th pitcher in major-league history to reach 3,000 strikeouts. The Cy Young Award candidate looks to reach that milestone while also needing to fan 12 batters to reach 300 in a season for the first time when the Houston Astros visit the Los Angeles Angels on Saturday for the third contest of their four-game series.

Verlander is looking to advance his major league-leading victory count to 21 and bolster his chances of winning his second career Cy Young Award. The Astros clinched home-field advantage throughout the American League playoffs with Friday's 4-0 win as Alex Bregman belted his 41st homer and Michael Brantley launched a three-run blast. Houston (105-55) has won 10 of its last 12 contests and leads the Los Angeles Dodgers by one game in the battle for the best record in the majors. The Angels recorded just three hits on Friday while being blanked for the second straight night and 11th time this season as they have dropped 23 of their last 32 games.

TV: 9:07 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet-Southwest (Houston), FS West (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Justin Verlander (20-6, 2.53 ERA) vs. Angels LH Jose Suarez (2-6, 7.34)

Verlander leads the majors in WHIP (0.81) and opponents' batting average (.172) while ranking second in ERA and strikeouts behind teammate Gerrit Cole. The 36-year-old has won five of his last six starts, a stretch that includes a no-hitter against Toronto on Sept. 1. Verlander is 2-1 with a 4.91 ERA in three starts against the Angels this season and 14-10 with a 3.19 ERA in 28 career turns versus the club.

Suarez repeatedly has had issues keeping the ball in the park as he has served up 22 homers in just 76 innings. The 21-year-old gave up one run and two hits in two frames of relief against the Astros in his last appearances after being torched for 12 runs in 5 2/3 innings over his previous two games. Suarez is 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA in three contests (two starts) against Houston and has experienced difficulties with George Springer (3-for-5, home run).

WALK-OFFS

1. Angels DH Tommy La Stella returned Friday from the broken leg he suffered on July 2 and was hitless in four at-bats.

2. Bregman is batting .338 with nine homers, seven doubles and 17 RBIs this month.

3. Los Angeles RF Kole Calhoun, who is hitless in 13 at-bats over his last four games, is just 8-for-50 with one homer and 25 strikeouts versus Verlander.

PREDICTION: Astros 5, Angels 3