The set-up: The 81-71 Astros won 6-5 yesterday afternoon in Oakland, capping a six-game road trip through Seattle and Oakland at 5-1. All of a sudden, Houston finds itself tied with Detroit, just one game back of the AL's final wild card spot (Astros are only two games back of Toronto, which holds the No. 1 wild card spot). Houston's six wins in its last seven game puts the Astros a season-best 10 games over .500. The Astros now return to Houston for a seven-game homestand against the Angels (four games) and Mariners (three). Houston then ends the season with three games in Anaheim vs. the Angels. The Angels beat Texas 5-4 last night but that win was just the team's fourth victory over its last 15 games. LA limps into Houston just 66-86 on the season, with the real possibility of finishing with the team's worst record since going 70-92 back in 1999.

The pitching matchup: Ricky Nolasco (6-14, 4.78 ERA) takes to the mound for the Angels, opposed by Mike Fiers (11-7, 4.46 ERA) of the Astros. Nolasco pitched six scoreless innings to defeat Toronto in his last start but it was only his second victory in nine starts for the Angels (he's 2-6 and LA is 2-7 in that span since being acquired from the Twins). Fiers comes in having won three of his last four decisions, including a 2-1 victory over Seattle on Saturday in which he allowed three hits over six scoreless innings.

The pick: Houston has taken advantage of a favorable closing schedule to get right back in the thick of the wild card race. Now, the team ends with 10 games against the Angels (seven) and Mariners (three), teams they own a 21-7 record against in 2016, so far. Clearly, it's advantage Houston. Checking in on the pitching matchup and Houston has Fiers on the mound and he's 17-11 (plus-$479) in all starts, including 11-4 at home. Meanwhile, Nolasco's teams (Angels and Twins) have gone a combined 11-19 (minus-$601) in his 2016 starts, including 5-9 (4.93 ERA) on the road. Houston is an 8* play.