The Astros entered this three-series homestand with an opportunity they could not afford to waste. So far, they have wasted it. Houston dropped two of three to the Seattle Mariners over the weekend and now turns its attention to a three-game series against the Los Angeles Angels beginning Tuesday at Daikin Park.
The Astros are 63-62 and hold a two-game lead over the Texas Rangers in the AL West. The Angels arrive at 49-76 and in last place in the division. After failing to take advantage of the opening series of the homestand, Houston cannot afford to squander this opportunity, too.
The rotation remains a problem. Houston has spent much of the season trying to assemble a stable starting five, and with six weeks remaining in the regular season, it still hasn’t happened. Ronel Blanco was optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land on Sunday after posting a 7.71 ERA in five appearances since returning from elbow surgery. The Astros recalled Miguel Ullola to take his place on the active roster.
Houston will turn to Cristian Javier for Tuesday’s opener, while the Angels are scheduled to sta right-hander George Klassen, who is 1-1 with a 5.52 ERA. Klassen is coming off the best start of his young major-league career, earning his first win Wednesday against Texas after allowing two runs on five hits over six innings with seven strikeouts and one walk.
The Halos may have one of the worst records in baseball, but they showed last week that they can still cause problems. Los Angeles took three straight from Texas, scoring 12 runs over the final two games of the series. Mike Trout had three hits in consecutive games, including a 3-for-4 performance in Thursday’s 7-0 win over the Rangers. It was the first time since 2018 that Trout had recorded three hits in back-to-back games.
First baseman Nolan Schanuel also enters the series swinging the bat well. Schanuel is hitting .273 with a .351 on-base percentage this season and drove in four runs Friday against Kansas City. His .273 average leads the Angels.
Los Angeles is also operating with a revamped pitching staff after dismissing pitching coach Mike Maddux, assistant pitching coach Darryl Scott, and bullpen coach Dom Chiti last week. Tim Leveque was promoted from Double-A Rocket City to serve as interim pitching coach, while Michael Wuertz took over as interim bullpen coach.
The rotation picture is beginning to take shape, although Houston has yet to announce a starter for Wednesday. Peter Lambert is scheduled to pitch Thursday’s finale. The uncertainty surrounding the rotation makes it even more important for the offense to produce consistently.
Houston is 4-6 over its last 10 games and has hovered around .500 while trying to protect a narrow division lead. The Angels’ record guarantees nothing—particularly after they just took three straight from the Rangers—but this remains a series the Astros need to win.
Houston has six games remaining on a homestand it needed to use to strengthen its position in the AL West. After wasting the first opportunity against Seattle, the Astros need to start making the remaining games count.
