Many believe the Houston Astros and Los Angeles Dodgers are on a collision course that will have them meet in late October. The Dodgers hold the best odds to reach the World Series, followed by the Astros.
Los Angeles and Houston enter play Saturday with the best record in their respective leagues, while the Dodgers sit atop the Majors with a 62-29 mark, a half-game ahead of the Astros. Prior to potentially meeting in the Fall Classic, the teams may be adversaries leading up to the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline.
According to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, the Astros are again targeting Detroit Tigers closer Justin Wilson:
Among #Astros’ bullpen targets, per sources: #Tigers’ Justin Wilson. Teams discussed him at winter meetings, could not agree on match.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 14, 2017
A recent report indicated the Dodgers had interest in the 29-year-old, among other left-handed relief pitchers. Wilson took over as the Tigers’ closer in May, and has collected 10 saves with a 2.36 ERA this season.
One of Wilson’s saves came in April, and his lone blown save came in his second opportunity after supplanting Francisco Rodriguez. On top of an affordable $2.7 million salary this season, Wilson is under team control for 2018 via arbitration.
The Astros bullpen ranks 11th in the Majors with a 4.04 ERA, and eighth in opponents’ on-base plus slugging percentage at .673. Astros closer Ken Giles is 1-2 and converted 19 of 21 save opportunities, with a 3.24 ERA and 1.08 WHIP.
