Astros: Game 72 Preview-Angels

What a cllimb has it been for the Astros!

After last night’s hit fest against the Los Angeles Angels, the Astros now find themselves just one game under .500 for the first time since early April. Yes, you read that right, they are near .500!

If you have been able to stomach this team through the early going then you know just how impressive that is when everything that has transpired in 2016 has been taken into consideration. Just imagine the shape that the Astros would be in if they could somehow defeat the Texas Rangers?!

More from Climbing Tal's Hill

Game 2: RHP Collin McHugh (5-5, 4.89 ERA) vs. LHP Hector Santiago (4-4, 5.30 ERA)

Count it, this is the fourth time in five games that the Astros have face a left-handed starter. And they have won two of those previous three match ups.

This time it is Hector Santiago getting the start against the Astros. Outside of his latest start when he surrendered one run in six innings against the Minnesota Twins, Santiago has had a rough go of it as of late. In three of his past five starts, the Angels left-hander has given up at least five runs per start. So, the opportunity for the Astros offense to continue its latest surge should be good.

Collin McHugh will look to shake his first half struggles against an Angels offense that has disappeared at times in 2016. The Astros right-hander will be looking to pick up where he left in his last start when he allowed just one run over 6.2 innings in St. Louis. If McHugh can get on a roll, then the Astros rotation will have one less question mark as the team is approaching July and the looming trade deadline.

Next: Astros Love Affair with Extra-Innings Has a Long History

This is the first time in a while that we can talk about a .500 team in Houston. Let’s hope that the Astros take advantage of the opportunity that is in front of them and give themselves a shot to make some noise in the American League playoff picture.

**Statistics provided by Baseball-Reference**

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