Starting tonight, the Houston Astros will play three games against the Los Angeles Angels at Angels Stadium

Tonight, just after 8:30 a.m., the Astros will face Samuel Aldegheri at Angels Stadium. This series is the third of four this season between Houston and the Halos. The Astros and LA have split the first six games of the series. In Houston’s last win on June 8, Hunter Brown (2-5, 5.58) was close to turning the corner. He went six scoreless innings, striking out seven against two hits and four walks. Yordan Alvarez (13) hit a home run and led Houston’s offense with three hits – including two doubles. Jose Altuve also collected multiple hits and Chas McCormick hit a three-hitter in Houston’s 6-1 victory.

We’re trying to keep it up. We’ve been playing good baseball and it’s nice to contribute to it personally. — Hunter Brown

Houston wrapped up a three-game series against the Oakland Athletics yesterday, winning the final game 6-3 after losing the first two. (Fun fact: The average score of an MLB game over the past two years is 6-3.) Ryan Pressly (2-3, 3.66) picked up the win despite blowing one save. Framber Valdez managed six strikeouts and allowed one run on five hits and one walk over 6 ¹⁄₃ Innings without a decision. Yainer Diaz (three singles) and Jon Singleton (single, two doubles) each had three hits – Kyle Tucker (single, double) and Mauricio Dubón (single, double) each had two – and Jason Heyward (7) brought Mitch Spence far in front and secured the win.

He’s had some big hits. He gives you good hitting opportunities, finds the ball and has the ability to run. I’ve put a couple of guys out there and everyone finds a way to contribute and Jon has done a really, really good job. — Joe Espada, on Singleton

The Angels are coming off a 2-5 road trip, winning one game against the Texas Rangers and one against the Minnesota Twins. In the last game on September 11, the Twins lost to the Halos 6-4. Taylor Ward (23), Nolan Schanuel (13) and Jordyn Adams (1) suffered defeats, while Jack Kochanowicz (2-5, 5.08) suffered the loss.

I went to bat looking for something hard, and of course I hit it. And I just tried not to miss it. I fouled them back in my last two at-bats, and that was my main focus. Just get it in the game. — Adams on hitting his first career home run

Table position

Houston Astros: 78-68, .534, first in the AL West, four games ahead of the Seattle Mariners. Tied with the Minnesota Twins for fifth in the American League and 12th in the MLB. Last 10: WLLLWWLLLW. On track for 87-75. Fangraphs predicts the same, with a 96.2 percent chance of making the playoffs.

Los Angeles Angels: 60-86, .411, fifth in the AL West, 18 games behind the Astros. Fourteenth in the American League, 27 ¹⁄₂ games ahead of the Chicago White Sox. Twenty-seventh in the MLB, 7 ¹⁄₂ Games ahead of Colorado Rockies. Last 10: WLWLWLLWLL. On the way to 67-95. Fangraphs is predicting the same, but the Angels are officially out of the postseason race as of yesterday.

Playing times and starting pitchers

Friday, 8:38 p.m. CT: Yusei Kikuchi (8-9, 4.31) vs. Samuel Aldegheri (1-1, 2.45)
Saturday, 8:38 p.m. CT: Justin Verlander (3-6, 5.30) vs. Tyler Anderson (10-12, 3.50)
Sunday, 3:07 p.m. CT: Ronel Blanco (10-6, 2.99) vs. Caden Dana (1-1, 9.00)