MLB Game Preview - Houston at LA Angels

Fri Aug 25, 2017 10:07 PM EDT

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- The Los Angeles Angels remain in the thick of the American League wild-card race heading into the opening game of their weekend series against the visiting Houston Astros on Friday night, but they might not be for long if two-time AL Most Valuable Player Mike Trout doesn't heat up.

Trout has three hits in his past 23 at-bats, contributing to the Angels losing three of the past four games to the Texas Rangers.

The Angels remain a half-game back of the Minnesota Twins, who hold the second AL wild-card position. Los Angeles is tied with the Kansas City Royals and the Seattle Mariners and a half-game ahead of the Rangers.

"Mike is still having good at-bats, but like anybody in this game, sometimes hits aren't going to fall in," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "Mike's going to keep going, he's fine."

The Astros also have lost three of their past four, but they maintain a 12 1/2-game lead over the Angels and Mariners for first place in the AL West.

Houston will send right-hander Collin McHugh (1-2, 4.01 ERA) to the mound in the series opener. He is coming off six scoreless innings against the Oakland A's on Saturday, an outing that produced his first victory in six starts this season.

"I've had better stuff and probably better command, but it's baseball," McHugh told the Houston Chronicle after the game. "Some days it goes your way. Some days it doesn't."

McHugh, who missed the first 3 1/2 months of this season with an impingement in his pitching elbow, is looking to cement himself in the postseason rotation. The 19-game winner two seasons ago has won 13 straight starts in September and October, the longest active streak in the majors.

He won his 13th straight against the Angels last Oct. 1, allowing no runs and three hits over 7 2/3 innings in a 3-0 victory.

McHugh is 6-2 with a 2.55 ERA in his career against the Angels. He is 2-2 at Angel Stadium with a 2.25 ERA.

However, the heart of the Angels' lineup has had success against McHugh.

Kole Calhoun is 10-for-32 (.313) in his career off McHugh, Albert Pujols is 7-for-22 (.318) and Trout is 6-for-21 (.286) with two home runs.

Parker Bridwell (7-1, 2.92 ERA) is scheduled to make the start for Los Angeles, looking to continue his strong rookie year.

Bridwell made his major league debut against the Astros a year ago this week, throwing two innings of relief while with the Baltimore Orioles. He moved into a starting role with the Angels this season and has won his past five decisions.

The Angels have won each of Bridwell's past eight starts, and he has lowered his ERA from 3.95 to 2.92 in that span. On Sunday at Baltimore, Bridwell allowed four runs (two earned) on six hits in five innings. He got a no-decision in a game Los Angeles won 5-4.

Astros outfielder Jake Marisnick homered off Bridwell in the right-hander's appearance against Houston last season.