Eye on MLB: Best of Thursday baseball
It might surprise some to know that the Los Angeles Angels have caught up to the Houston Astros in the loss column in the AL West. Houston still leads the division by 1 1/2 games heading into play Thursday, but its “real lead” has vanished because the team from Anaheim, Calif. has won nine out of 10 games since June 27, improving its record to 46-38.
The Angels also are riding a five-game winning streak, while the Astros have dropped four of five. What was a seven-game lead on the pack in May is long gone.
What’s gotten into the Angels? Well, their offense has been clicking, scoring an average of 9.2 runs during their winning streak, prompted by an awesome-if-unsustainable cluster of 25 for 56 (.446) with runners in scoring position. Mike Trout hit a pair of home runs Wednesday. That’s what Arte Moreno is paying for, doggone it!
In one of the final games on the schedule Thursday night, Garrett Richards of the Angels goes against Felix Hernandez of the Mariners, at Safeco Field. We’ve got major goose egg potential here, with Richards posting a 0.97 ERA over his past five starts against the Mariners, and King Felix dominating the Angels hitters with an 0.93 ERA over his past nine outings.
Of course, that means the teams will combine for five homers and 19 runs tonight.
The Astros play at Cleveland, where they will be tested by rookie starter Cody Anderson.
Welcome to the Eye, which covers 10 games starting with a little Masahiro Tanaka action. He and the Yankees host the Athletics.
The slate for Thursday (all times ET) (Full Scoreboard)
Milestone Watch
Longest active hit streak: Troy Tulowitzki for 20.
Albert Pujols watch: The Home Run Derby participant is two home runs shy of tying Mike Schmidt for 15th place on the all-time list with 546 homers. Pujols picked up his 2,600th career hit Wednesday.
Daily Awards
Bigger than the Grammys.
Injuries, News & Rumors
Alexei Ramirez needs X-rays for left foot injury
Scott Kazmir downplays triceps injury
Matt Harrison rocked in 2015 debut
Blister ends night early for Diamondbacks righty Jeremy Hellickson
Report: Rockies pitching prospect Jon Gray could debut soon
Matt Kemp slams sixth homer since June 6
Andrew Miller activated from DL; gets save in first outing
Matt Holliday not likely to return before All-Star break
Click here for more player news
Looking ahead to Friday (all times ET)
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