The Los Angeles Angels return to Angels Stadium tonight to open a three game series against the Houston Astros.
The Angels concluded their weekend road trip with a 4-3 win over the San Francisco Giants yesterday.
Mike Trout delivered his first four-hit game since 2021 in the win against the Giants.
Jo Adell went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run as well. Since July 20, Adell is 7-for-20 with three home runs and six RBIs. Jorge Soler also launched a two-run home run in the win.
Rookie standout Walbert Ureña is projected to start for the Halos against Tatsuya Imai of the Astros. Ureña has a 2.78 ERA in 87.1 innings of work, while allowing two runs in his last 15.2 innings of work. In Ureña’s one showing this season against the Astros, he struck out seven in five scoreless innings.
This season, the Angels are 4-3 against the Astros.
First Pick: Los Angeles Angels vs Houston Astros - Under 8.5 total runs
Rundown: Imai only lasted 2.2 innings against the Angels back on March 29th, allowing four runs on three hits while also walking four.
After Imai loaded the bases with a pair of walks and a single from Trout, Soler cleared the bases with a double. Adell then followed with an RBI single, accounting for all four runs.
The Angels could strike early again if Imai continues his command issues.
Imai flashes stretches of dominant pitching, but he has not yet shown consistent efforts. In his last start, he gave up one run in six innings against the Marlins – only walking three in the process.
However, back on July 1 Imai gave up five runs in 1.1 innings against the Minnesota twins, walking five in the short outing.
The Angels have a bump advantage with Ureña, but they still sport a lackluster offense that has eclipsed three runs in four of their last 12 games.
Even if Imai struggles early, neither team will score much in this one.
Second Pick: Los Angeles Angels +1.5 over Houston Astros
Rundown: The Angels have a clear advantage at starting pitcher in tonight’s game. Both pitchers have had command struggles this season, but Ureña offers a more reliable game.
They’ve also had success this season against an Astros club that has regressed significantly from last season.
Adell, Trout and Soler all have had success against Imai in the past – and they’re all coming off good offensive series against the Giants.