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Astros Countdown: Top Five AL West Threats in 2017

By Colin Gay

Jun 5, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros catcher Evan Gattis (11) rounds the bases after hitting a home run against Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Sonny Gray (54) in the sixth inning at Minute Maid Park. Astros won 5 to 2. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 5, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros catcher Evan Gattis (11) rounds the bases after hitting a home run against Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Sonny Gray (54) in the sixth inning at Minute Maid Park. Astros won 5 to 2. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mike Trout

May 21, 2017; New York City, NY, USA; Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) doubles to deep center allowing a runner to score during the third inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
May 21, 2017; New York City, NY, USA; Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) doubles to deep center allowing a runner to score during the third inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /

What else can be said about Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout? He is the best player in baseball, and he has been very, very good against the Houston Astros.

In 18 at-bats, Trout is hitting .389 with a 1.061 OPS against the Astros with a home run, against Chris Devenski, and three RBIs.

However, that is just a small sample size of what Trout has been doing to the league this season. In 44 games, Trout is No. 4 in baseball with a .344 batting average, tied for first with New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge with 15 home runs and first in baseball with a 1.214 OPS. Those are video game-like numbers.

Trout above the rest?

The former AL MVP has been good against the Astros for a while. Last season, he only hit .258 with a .923 OPS against Houston. However, like Odor, Trout loves to hit for extra bases against the Astros. Nine of his 16 hits last year were for extra bases including two home runs against Dallas Keuchel and Collin McHugh respectively. He also loves to drive in runs, scoring himself 12 times and driving in 10 RBIs against the Astros last season.

If there were one thing for the Astros in a matchup against Trout, it would be his strikeout numbers. With over 125 strikeouts in each of his last five seasons, Trout has struck out over 20 percent of the time in the last four seasons including 20.2 percent this season.

Next: Astros: Collin McHugh's Impact on the Trade Deadline

That is nitpicking with a guy as talented as Trout is. If the Astros can get Trout to struggle against them, that will most likely lead to success against the Angels. Good luck with that though.

***Stats provided by ESPN.com, MLB.com, and FanGraphs***

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