The Angels, meanwhile, are staring down an ugly stretch that has nothing to do with one game. They're on pace for an 11th straight losing season, GM Perry Minasian got fired in June, and ownership's reluctance to fully rebuild has left this roster stuck in no-man's-land. Ureña is one of the only bright spots — his fastball's been touching 100 mph and he's been a legit weapon since returning from the break — but he's also a rookie the front office may end up shopping if the Astros or anyone else comes calling before the deadline.
Houston's absences are almost entirely pitching — a rotation stripped down to bare parts — while the Angels are banged up everywhere, from Yoan Moncada and Anthony Rendon at third to Travis d'Arnaud behind the plate. That's the difference between a contender managing depth and a last-place team just trying to field a lineup.
Isaac Paredes has been swinging it well and gave Imai a cushion in his last outing, and if the Astros' offense shows up early against a shaky Angels pen, this could get out of hand fast. Los Angeles has flashed some fight — that walk-off comeback against the Giants Sunday shows they're not folding — but this is still a team playing out the string while Houston is trying to hang onto a wild-card spot.