MLB Game Preview: Los Angeles Angels (64-72) vs. Houston Astros (75-62)

Venue & Game Info

• Date & Time: Monday, September 1, 2025 – First pitch 2:10 PM ET / 1:10 PM CT
• Venue: Daikin Park, 501 Crawford Street, Houston, TX 77002
• Broadcast: SCHN (Houston), FDSW (Los Angeles), MLB.TV (out‑of‑market)

Weather Forecast (Houston, TX)

• Conditions: Hot & humid, mostly sunny
• Temperature: ~94°F (34°C) at first pitch
• Humidity: ~55%
• Wind: ~7 mph, light breeze out to right field
• Precipitation: <5% chance — no rain delays expected
• Impact: Slight boost to balls hit toward RF gap

Injury Report

Los Angeles Angels

• Taylor Ward (LF) – Day‑to‑day, facial injury after collision with LF scoreboard
• Tyler Anderson (SP) – 15‑Day IL, oblique strain
• Nolan Schanuel (1B) – 10‑Day IL, wrist
• Jorge Soler (DH) – 10‑Day IL, back
• Chris Taylor (UTIL) – 10‑Day IL, hand
• Carson Fulmer (RP) – 15‑Day IL, elbow
• Victor Mederos (SP) – 15‑Day IL, shoulder
• Gustavo Campero (C) – 10‑Day IL, ankle
• Hunter Strickland (RP) – 60‑Day IL, shoulder
• Ben Joyce (RP) – 60‑Day IL, shoulder
• Anthony Rendon (3B) – 60‑Day IL, hip

Houston Astros

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

Projected Starting Pitchers

• LAA: LHP Yusei Kikuchi (6‑9, 3.68 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, 156 K in 154.2 IP) – 10 quality starts; 9.1 K/9; 1‑5 career vs. HOU with 5.67 ERA.
• HOU: RHP Luis Garcia (Season debut) – Returning from Tommy John surgery; career 3‑2, 3.48 ERA in 11 appearances vs. LAA.

Key Player Matchups

Houston Astros Offense

• Jose Altuve: .273 AVG, 23 HR, 65 RBI — pulls 41.7% of fly balls toward short LF fence.
• Jeremy Peña: .305 AVG, 24 2B, 14 HR — 6‑game hit streak; .279 over last 10 games.
• Christian Walker: 74 RBI, 5 HR in last 10 games — power anchor in middle order.
• Yainer Diaz: .253 AVG, 18 HR, 17 2B — steady pop from C spot.

Los Angeles Angels Offense

• Taylor Ward: .228 AVG, 30 HR, 94 RBI — day‑to‑day after facial injury.
• Zach Neto: .265 AVG, 24 HR, 29 2B — leads team in AVG; 3 HR in last 10 games.
• Jo Adell: 30 HR — raw power threat; streaky contact.
• Mike Trout: .231 AVG, 20 HR, 75 BB — veteran presence, still selective at plate.

Recent Form

Houston Astros

• Last 10: 6‑4 (.245 AVG, 3.03 ERA, +4 run diff)
• Home record: 41‑30
• Struggling with RISP in recent series; 12 runs in last 6 games

Los Angeles Angels

• Last 10: 4‑6 (.170 AVG, 4.97 ERA, ‑25 run diff)
• Road record: 30‑37
• Power remains (12 HR last 10), but contact rate plummeting

Series History

• 2025 Season: Astros lead 5‑4
• 2024 Season: Astros won 9‑4
• All‑Time: Astros lead 134‑85 (.612 win pct)

Betting Trends

Houston Astros

• 53.3% win rate as favorite (49‑43)
• 54.3% win rate when favored at -147 or shorter
• 6‑4 ATS last 10 games
• Over in 3 of last 10

Los Angeles Angels

• 45.1% win rate as underdog (46‑56)
• 46.5% win rate when +123 or longer
• 5‑5 ATS last 10 games
• Under in 6 of last 10

Suggested Wagering Model

Model Inputs:

• Astros’ home‑field edge & superior contact rate (.253 team AVG vs. LAA’s .229)
• Kikuchi’s career struggles vs. HOU bats
• Garcia’s first MLB start since 2023 — potential pitch count limit
• Angels’ power can keep them in game despite low OBP
• Hot, humid weather with slight RF wind boost