LA ANGELS vs. HOUSTON 8/31/2018 MLB Odds, Pick & Preview

The Los Angeles Angels began a 10-game road trip with a solid performance and attempt to defeat the Houston Astros for a second straight night when they visit the American League West leaders on Friday for the second contest of their four-game series. Andrelton Simmons recorded three hits, including a three-run double, as the Angels topped the Astros 5-2 on Thursday for just their third win in 12 games.

Houston has lost two of three games after recording six straight victories but still holds a 2 1/2-game lead over Oakland in the division. Tyler White belted a two-run homer in the ninth inning for the Astros as the 27-year-old improved to 14-for-34 with four blasts and 12 RBIs over his last eight contests. The victory was just Los Angeles’ second in nine meetings with Houston, which holds an 8-5 advantage in the season series. Simmons is 5-for-8 over his last two games and has recorded 63 RBIs this season, leaving him six shy of matching the career high he set in 2017.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FS West (Los Angeles), AT&T SportsNet-Southwest (Houston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels RH Jaime Barria (8-8, 3.67 ERA) vs. Astros LH Framber Valdez (2-0, 0.96)

Barria lost to the Astros on Saturday as he gave up four runs and five hits over three innings. The 22-year-old Panamanian went 3-0 over his previous five turns, a stretch that followed six setbacks in a span of seven outings. Barria is 0-1 with a 4.50 ERA in two starts against Houston this season and has retired Carlos Correa in all five at-bats.

Valdez made his first career start on Sunday against the Angels, emerging victorious after allowing one run and two hits in five innings. The 24-year-old also registered a win in his major-league debut on Aug. 21, when he gave up an unearned run and two hits over 4 1/3 frames of relief against Seattle. Valdez went 6-5 with a 4.11 ERA in 22 combined appearances (14 starts) in Double- and Triple-A prior to being recalled.

WALK-OFFS

1. Angels DH-RHP Shohei Ohtani (elbow) will start Sunday’s game, his first pitching appearance since June 6.

2. Houston formally announced that MGR A.J. Hinch has signed a four-year contract extension through the 2022 season.

3. Los Angeles placed 1B Albert Pujols (knee) on the 10-day disabled list, activated LF Justin Upton (finger) from the DL and recalled C Jose Briceno from Triple-A Salt Lake.

PREDICTION: Astros 5, Angels 4