Trout, Pujols homer as Angels get key 4-3 win over Astros

Albert Pujols (.238, 75 Rs, 36 HRs, 87 RBIs, 4 SBs) has been successful at the plate, going 2 for 4 yesterday with one run, one home run, and one RBI.

Add that to the fact the Astros still have something to play for and are at home on a quick turnaround, and Houston has to be the pick here.

Erick Aybar hit a leadoff single before Trout’s homer in the first.

According to oddsmakers from online sports book GT Bets, the Angels are +154 money line underdogs to pull off the upset against the Astros, who have odds of -169 to win today’s game. The Los Angeles Angels have won five of their last eight road games.

Of course, with Houston, you run the risk of having to face Dallas Keuchel. It took awhile to get there, but it was worth the wait. On Wednesday afternoon it stayed that way, resulting in a 6-5 loss to the Los Angeles Angels.

“He’s been through pennant races, and he’s been through the playoffs”, Manager Mike Scioscia said. The Astros are the fourth-best team in the league at limiting hits and walks to their opponents, recording a WHIP of 1.19 so far this season. “There’s no downplaying it. I’m not going to sit in front of you and say it’s not an important series”.

The Astros (80-71) lead the Minnesota Twins by three games and the Angels by 3 1-2 for the AL’s second wild-card spot. Three pitches later Pujols connected for the 50th time in his career against the Astros, which is the most by any player.

Houston and the LA Angels will be back at Minute Maid Park on Tuesday for the second of four games in Houston.

Houston begins a three-game series with the third-place Angels tonight and will host a three-game series against the Rangers beginning Friday.

The Angels made it interesting in the ninth, however. Murphy scored on a pinch-hit single by Collin Cowgill off Oliver Perez to get Los Angeles within striking distance. However, Astros closer Luke Gregerson induced a groundout for his 28th save. He struck out five and walked two.

“They were chirping at me a lot”, the rookie said.

David Freese initially responded to what would be one of his biggest hits in an Angels uniform by dropping his head in a show of disgust. “Just couldn’t translate it over to the game”. He had been 1-8 with a 9.24 ERA in his previous nine starts. He has been doing well since his promotion from Triple-A. The Astros are one of the best in the Major League Baseball in terms of extra base hits with 484. I went out later and they said the call stands, which means they didn’t really have any definitive evidence to make the overturn. He knows his way in the batter’s box in that situation and it’s good to have him in there. Will Harris gave up a pair of runs and continues to struggle, and Neshek’s woes continued when he gave up two hits and a run in the decisive frame.

Angels closer Huston Street posted his 40th save despite allowing an RBI single to Astros shortstop Carlos Correa in the ninth that scored Altuve.