The set-up: The Astros own MLB's best record (43-19) but they've lost three of four, as injuries are wreaking havoc on their starting rotation. Houston has been forced to manage a revolving door of relievers in recent games with lefties Ashur Tolliver (1st appearance) and Reymin Guduan (third) plus righties Jordan Jankowski (two) and Dayan Diaz (two) all making 2017 debuts as of late. In Friday night's 9-4 loss to the Angels, the Astros welcomed their top pitching prospect to the show, as Francis Martes allowing four runs on four hits and two walks with two strikeouts over 3 2/3 innings of relief. The win was LA's second in a row, as they climbed back to .500 (32-32). However, while the Angels may be in second-place in the AL West, they are 12 games back of Houston.

The pitching matchup: Ricky Nolasco (2-6 & 5.05 ERA) takes the mound for LA and Mike Fiers (3-2 & 4.84 ERA) for Houston. Nolasco comes in having lost four consecutive starts, posting a 6.64 ERA during the slide. However, he's had excellent success against the Astros in his career, going 7-1 with a 3.75 ERA in 10 career appearances (nine starts / teams are 8-1). Fiers has won his last two starts (allowed just two runs in each) and while he owns a modest three wins in 11 starts this season, the Astros are 7-4 in his starts. Fiers is 2-2 with a 5.30 ERA in six career starts against the Angels (teams are 3-3).

The pick: The Astros are scrambling a bit right now but the Angels are a modest 14-20 on the road, where they are averaging just 3.76 RPG. Mike Trout remains sidelined and Fiers is an underrated pitcher. Make the Astros an 8* play.