The Houston Astros host the Los Angeles Angels at Daikin Park on Thursday, August 20, with first pitch set for 8:10 PM ET. Peter Lambert gets the ball for Houston against Grayson Rodriguez in a regular-season AL West matchup that carries weight for both clubs. With Yordan Alvarez slotted second in the order and Jose Altuve hitting cleanup, the Astros are sending a veteran-heavy lineup to the plate. How Lambert handles a lineup that includes Mike Trout batting second will go a long way toward deciding this one. Catch the game on Space City Home Network or KBME 790 AM/94.5 FM HD-2.

Pitching Matchup: Peter Lambert vs. Grayson Rodriguez

Lambert draws the start for the Astros, taking the mound in what is a meaningful opportunity to build on his role in Houston's rotation. The right-hander will need to keep the Angels' offense in check early and limit the damage that Trout and Zach Neto — hitting cleanup for Los Angeles — can do against a Houston pitching staff that is counting on length from its starters.

On the other side, Grayson Rodriguez toes the rubber for the Angels. Rodriguez is a former top prospect who has shown the ability to miss bats, and the Astros' lineup will need to be disciplined and patient to get into the Angels' bullpen. LaMonte Wade Jr. leads off for Houston, followed by Alvarez, Isaac Paredes, and Altuve — a stretch of the order that gives the Astros a legitimate chance to do damage early if Rodriguez struggles with his command.

Houston Astros Starting Lineup

• LaMonte Wade Jr. — 1B
• Yordan Alvarez — DH
• Isaac Paredes — 3B
• Jose Altuve — 2B
• Daulton Varsho — CF
• Taylor Trammell — LF
• Cam Smith — RF
• Nick Allen — SS
• Christian Vázquez — C

Los Angeles Angels Starting Lineup

• Wade Meckler — LF
• Mike Trout — CF
• Nolan Schanuel — 1B
• Zach Neto — SS
• Moisés Ballesteros — DH
• Vaughn Grissom — 3B
• Josh Lowe — RF
• Tyler Heineman — C
• Adam Frazier — 2B

Keys to Watch Against the Angels

• Containing Trout: Mike Trout hitting second in the Angels' lineup is not a situation Lambert can afford to take lightly. Trout's presence in any lineup demands respect, and keeping him off the bases will be the single most important task for the Astros' pitching staff on Thursday.
• Alvarez and the middle of the order: If Rodriguez has any trouble locating his fastball, the Astros' second through fifth hitters — Alvarez, Paredes, Altuve, and Varsho — are capable of putting up a crooked number in a hurry. Houston's best path to an early lead runs directly through that group.
• Lambert's efficiency: The Astros need Lambert to give them length. Getting to the sixth inning while keeping the Angels at two runs or fewer would put Houston in an excellent position to hand the game to its bullpen.
• Bottom of the order production: Cam Smith, Nick Allen, and Christian Vázquez batting seventh through ninth gives the Astros a chance to keep innings alive ahead of Wade Jr. How that group performs against Rodriguez in the early going could set the tone for the entire night.

Prediction

This game comes down to whether Lambert can navigate the top of the Angels' order long enough to give Houston's offense time to solve Rodriguez. The Astros' lineup, from top to bottom, is built to grind out at-bats and do damage in bunches. Expect Alvarez and Altuve to be factors. Houston takes this one at Daikin Park, 5-3.