Los Angeles Angels (63-72) vs. Houston Astros (75-61)

Venue & Game Info

• Date: Sunday, August 31, 2025
• First Pitch: 2:10 PM ET / 1:10 PM CT / 11:10 AM PT
• Venue: Daikin Park, 501 Crawford Street, Houston, TX 77002
• Surface: Natural grass
• Broadcast: Space City Home Network (HOU), Bally Sports West (LAA), MLB.TV

Weather Update

• Conditions: Outdoor venue with retractable roof — weather unlikely to impact play.
• Outside Forecast (Houston): Mostly sunny, ~94°F (34°C), light SSE breeze 6–8 mph, humidity ~55%.
• Impact: If roof is open, warm temps could slightly boost carry on well‑hit balls.

Injury Report

Los Angeles Angels:

• Nolan Schanuel (1B) – 10‑Day IL (wrist)
• Carson Fulmer (RHP) – 15‑Day IL (elbow)
• Victor Mederos (RHP) – 15‑Day IL (shoulder)
• Gustavo Campero (C) – 10‑Day IL (ankle)
• Chris Taylor (INF/OF) – 10‑Day IL (hand)
• Jorge Soler (DH) – 10‑Day IL (back)
• Hunter Strickland (RHP) – 60‑Day IL (shoulder)
• Ben Joyce (RHP) – 60‑Day IL (shoulder)
• Anthony Rendon (3B) – 60‑Day IL (hip)

Houston Astros:

• Victor Caratini (C) – 7‑Day IL (concussion)
• John Rooney (LHP) – 15‑Day IL (concussion/nasal)
• Brandon Walter (LHP) – 60‑Day IL (elbow)
• Bennett Sousa (LHP) – 15‑Day IL (elbow)
• Taylor Trammell (OF) – 10‑Day IL (neck)
• Josh Hader (LHP) – 15‑Day IL (shoulder)
• Isaac Paredes (INF) – 60‑Day IL (hamstring)
• Pedro Leon (OF) – 60‑Day IL (knee)
• Jake Meyers (OF) – 10‑Day IL (calf)
• Zach Dezenzo (INF) – 60‑Day IL (hand)
• Ronel Blanco (RHP) – 60‑Day IL (elbow)
• Hayden Wesneski (RHP) – 60‑Day IL (elbow)
• Luis Garcia (RHP) – 60‑Day IL (elbow)

Probable Pitchers

• LAA: RHP José Soriano (9‑9, 3.85 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 136 K)
  • Heavy sinker/curve mix; induces ground balls (50% GB rate).
  • Career vs. HOU: 2‑2, 3.60 ERA in 5 starts.
• HOU: RHP Hunter Brown (10‑6, 2.37 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 177 K)

• Top‑10 in AL ERA; excellent strikeout‑to‑walk ratio (4.6 K/BB).
• Home ERA: 2.11 in 12 starts at Daikin Park.

Recent Form

Los Angeles Angels – Last 5: W‑L‑L‑L‑W

• Offense ranks 17th in MLB in runs (574) but 4th in HR (189).
• Team ERA 4.81 (28th MLB); bullpen save rate 51.7%.

Houston Astros – Last 5: L‑W‑W‑W‑L

• 6‑4 in last 10; averaging 4.1 runs/game in that span.
• Pitching staff ERA 3.48 over last 10 games; bullpen ERA 3.74 on season.

Series History

• 2025 Season Series: Astros lead 5‑3 entering finale.
• Astros 41‑29 at home this season; Angels 29‑37 on the road.
• Houston 53‑23 when recording 8+ hits in a game.

Key Player Matchups

• Mike Trout (LAA) vs. Hunter Brown
  • Trout: .242 AVG, 24 HR, .360 OBP; still dangerous vs. high‑velo fastballs.
  • Brown: Opponents hitting just .198 off his four‑seam fastball.
• Taylor Ward (LAA) vs. Astros Bullpen
  • Ward: .245 AVG, 22 HR, .345 OBP; patient hitter who can work deep counts.
• José Altuve (HOU) vs. José Soriano
  • Altuve: .274 AVG, 23 HR, .455 SLG; thrives vs. sinkerballers.
• Jeremy Peña (HOU) vs. Angels Middle Relief
• Peña: 12‑for‑43 (.279) last 10 games; gap‑to‑gap hitter with speed.

Betting Trends

Los Angeles Angels:

• 3‑7 in last 10 games; 45% win rate as underdog this season.
• Over is 5‑4‑1 in last 10 games.

Houston Astros:

• 6‑4 in last 10 games; 53.3% win rate as favorite in 2025.
• Under is 6‑4 in last 10 games.

Head‑to‑Head:

• Astros 5‑3 vs. Angels this season.
• Under is 4‑2 in last 6 meetings.

Suggested Wagering Model

Primary Lean: Astros Moneyline (‑175)

• Brown’s home dominance + Houston’s superior bullpen and recent form.

Secondary Lean: Under 7.5 Runs (‑110)

• Two starters with sub‑4.00 ERAs; Angels’ offense inconsistent on road.

Prop Angle: José Altuve Over 1.5 Total Bases (+125)

• Strong matchup vs. Soriano’s pitch profile; multi‑hit potential.