September 19 – Prior to their final home game of the season Thursday night against the Los Angeles Angels, the Houston Astros lost 4–0 on Wednesday and clinched the American League West in seven games against the San Diego Padres.
Despite losing a three-game series to the Padres, the Astros (82–70) went 4–2 on their last road trip, including a three-game win over the Angels.
Houston entered Thursday’s game five games ahead of the second-place Seattle Mariners in the AL West with 10 games remaining. The Mariners will travel to Houston for a crucial three-game series with the Angels starting Monday.
Even with Wednesday’s loss, the Astros got more confirmation that left-hander Fran Bell Valdez should start Game 1 if they qualify for the postseason. He allowed one run in seven innings against the Padres and is 9-2 with a 2.04 ERA in his last 15 starts. The Astros went 13-2 during that span.
Known for his curveball and sinker combination, Valdez continues to use a changeup that is fast becoming a viable third pitch.
“I thought the pitch (the changeup) hit really well,” Astros manager Joe Espada said.
Left-hander Yumasa Kikuchi (9-9, 4.29 ERA) will be the Astros’ starter on Thursday. He was acquired from the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday, allowing three runs on three hits, striking out six, allowing two runs and walking one and walking one in seven innings in a 5-3 win over the Angels at the trade deadline, improving to 5-0 with a 3.19 ERA.
The Astros improved to 8-0 with Kikuchi on the mound. He has won his last three starts with a 3.60 ERA and 24 strikeouts in 20 innings.
Kikuchi has a 2–4 record with a 9.12 ERA in 12 career games (10 starts) against the Angels.
Left-hander José Suárez (1-2, 6.80 ERA) will make his second start and 21st appearance for the Angels this season. He most recently pitched against the Astros on Friday, when he pitched four scoreless innings of relief while allowing five hits and striking out five. The Angels lost 5-3.
Suarez has been held scoreless twice since being recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake City on Sept. 9. One strikeout.
In 11 career starts against the Astros (seven starts), Suarez is 3-3 with a 4.20 ERA and 37 strikeouts in 40 2/3 innings.
Angels manager Ron Washington emptied his bullpen and used nearly every available reliever in the bullpen for the Angels in a 4-3 victory in 13 innings over the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday and a three-game series win (62-90).
Washington finished five starts and six relievers, keeping right-hander Roensy Contreras out. One of the relievers, Mickey Moniak, came off the bench to run and score in the 11th inning and drew a walk in the bottom of the 12th inning despite instructions not to swing the bat. Moniak missed the first two games of the White Sox series after being hit by a pitch in the left hand against the Astros on Sunday.
“I think he can do it if he wants to,” Washington said of Moniak’s swing. “But we sent him out there and told him not to do it.
“He’s not ready to do that. Maybe (Thursday) he’ll be ready, but he’s not ready yet.”
–Visual-level media
