HOUSTON -- It seemed only a matter of time before the odds finally worked against the Astros in their season series against the Angels, who entered Thursday having dropped 11 consecutive games against Houston.In the opener of the penultimate series between the American League West rivals, the Astros (81-72) wasted a second consecutive solid pitching performance from right-hander Mike Fiers. The Angels rode a first-inning home run from Albert Pujols to a 2-0 victory and just their second win over the Astros in 13 meetings this season.The Astros inconsistent starting pitching carried them through a six-game road trip in which they won five times, but the one weak link of late was responsible for that lone loss in Seattle and will take the mound on Friday night looking to even the series against the Angels (67-86).Astros right-hander Doug Fister (12-12, 4.45 ERA) has suffered through a miserable final month, going 0-3 with a 12.42 ERA over four starts. Fister, 3-3 with a 2.72 ERA in his career against the Angels, had been the Astros most consistent starter this season before cratering in September. With Fister lasting at least five innings only once in his last five appearances, an early hook is certainly in play.Ive gone with that model the whole (month of) September, Astros manager A.J. Hinch said of having starters on a short leash. I want to get these guys in a position to hand the ball to the bullpen in a good spot. Dougs a pro. Hes been really good for us at times this year. Hes had a couple times where he hasnt been as good. I know recently his performance hasnt been up to his standards.Its all hands on deck the entire month of September. Doesnt mean he (Fister) cant last five, six or seven innings.Angels right-hander Alex Meyer (1-3, 5.63 ERA) will make his sixth appearance and fifth start of the season. Acquired from Minnesota on Aug. 1 along with right-hander Ricky Nolasco, who won the series opener with seven shutout innings of work, Meyer earned his first career win on Sunday against the Blue Jays after tossing five scoreless innings in a 4-0 victory.Meyer fanned seven batters in his outing, setting a career high along with his innings pitched. After struggling in two appearances with the Twins to the tune of an 0-1 record and 12.27 ERA, including a May 3 start against the Astros where he surrendered three runs on three hits and three walks over 2 2/3 innings, Meyer is showing signs of settling in with the Angels, his third professional organization.Hopefully more of the same of what hes thrown the last couple outings, Angels manager Mike Scioscia said of Meyer, who was selected by the Washington Nationals in the first round (23rd overall) of the 2011 draft. Weve seen a big arm, weve seen a guy that spins the ball well. I think hes finding a consistent arm slot and release point and through all this process of where Alex is right now, hes in the process of finding himself again.Hopefully well continue to see that continued growth moving forward of what hes been doing since hes been here. Goedkope Nike Sneakers Heren . Now, with Game 6 set for Fenway Park and an 8:07 p.m. ET first pitch, the Detroit Tigers face the unenviable task of having to beat the Boston Red Sox twice, on the road, to advance to the World Series. Goedkope Nike Sneakers Dames . Philadelphia is 2-0 against the Senators this season and scored five goals in each victory. The Flyers recorded a 5-0 win in Ottawa on Nov. 12 and then earned a 5-2 home decision on Nov. 19. 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Melbourne City are hoping a transformation to become the A-Leagues shapeshifters will pay dividends this season.City are among the bookies favourites for the league, which kicks off on Friday night.John van t Schips side start with a trip to face Wellington on Saturday and winger Bruce Kamau says the Phoenix will be hard pressed working out how to prepare.City showed their tactical flexibility last season under van t Schip, playing with Bruno Fornaroli as either a lone or partnered striker depending on the occasion.At times, with varying degrees of success, City were deployed with three at the back.Kamau says the club have stepped up trials of different formations in pre-season as they look for new routes to victory.It gives us a lot of flexibility and makes it harder for teams when they come up against us, he told reporters on Thursday.We have such a strong squad, we can easily swap from one formation to another.While Kamau is unlikely to shift fromm his role on a flank, no matter what the formation, Connor Chapman will be busy.ddddddddddddThe 21-year-old has played centrally for the bulk of his career but could find himself working more at right-back in 2016/17.Its a role he played late in last years run to the semi-finals and he says hes happy to pick it back up if it is working for the team.Theres a lot of competition in the team. Wherever the coach puts you, youve got to play and do your job, he said.Its a position that is obviously not my No.1 position but Im definitely not uncomfortable. I can do a job.The Phoenix will be below full strength for the match, with four senior players away on New Zealand international duty and Matthew Ridenton injured.But City have their own unavailabilities, with star man Tim Cahill and Steve Kuzmanovski away with national teams. ' ' '