The Los Angeles Angels and Houston Astros might be dodging raindrops when they face off Saturday in Monterrey, Mexico, with the Angels designated as the home team.
The two-game series (they also play Sunday) will be held at Estadio de Beisbol Monterrey, pending approval from Mother Nature.
The weather forecast for both Saturday and Sunday calls for 90 percent chance of rain.
“It sounds like the weather will be a challenge, more than anything,” Angels manager Brad Ausmus said. “There are a lot of logistics that both the Angels and MLB are involved in to make this a smooth process. But the one thing you can’t control is the weather, and they are expecting thunderstorms. A lot of them.”
For Astros closer Roberto Osuna Jr., the trip to Mexico is a homecoming. Osuna grew up in Los Mochis, about a 12-hour drive from Monterrey, and his dad Roberto Osuna Sr. pitched in the Mexican League for 16 seasons.
The younger Osuna is off to a fantastic start anchoring the Astros’ bullpen, going 2-0 with a 0.68 ERA with seven saves in 13 games. In 13 1/3 innings, he has allowed just three hits and walked none, while striking out 11.
“It’s super special for us,” Osuna said. “Playing in Mexico in front of my people and playing in the stadium that my dad played at some point in his career is going to be special. I’m happy to be going back to Mexico.”
The Angels are coming off a three-game sweep over the Toronto Blue Jays and are playing their best baseball of the season. Overall, they’ve won four in a row and six of seven.
In those seven games, the Angels averaged 6.1 runs per game and gave up 3.7 per game.
Going to an unfamiliar place should not be a reason for the Angels to cool off, according to first baseman/designated hitter Albert Pujols.
“It doesn’t matter where we play,” he said. “I’m going to Mexico to play in front of those fans who love the game of baseball. It gives them an opportunity to see a game that they can’t see (regularly).”
Pujols and his teammates will face Astros lefty Wade Miley, who is 1-2 with a 3.24 ERA in six starts this season. He’s coming off a strong start against Cleveland last Sunday when he allowed one run and six hits in 5 2/3 innings, getting a no-decision.
Miley has pitched well against the Angels, going 2-0 with a 2.01 ERA in three career starts.
Right-hander Trevor Cahill, who is 1-2 with a 5.93 ERA in six starts, will start for the Angels. Cahill has had trouble keeping the ball in the ballpark this season, having allowed nine home runs. Only two pitchers in the majors (Milwaukee’s Corbin Burnes, 11; Seattle’s Mike Leake, 10) have allowed more.
Cahill is 2-1 with a 4.61 ERA in six career games (five starts) against Houston, and has fared well against Jose Altuve (1-for-7) and Carlos Correa (1-for-7). George Springer, though, has hit Cahill well (4-for-11, one homer).