ASTROS-GIANTS PREVIEW
Important factors that could give Astros the edge in series opener against Giants
Mar 31, 2025, 10:24 am
Ronel Blanco takes the hill for Houston. Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images.
San Francisco Giants (2-1) vs. Houston Astros (2-1)
Houston; Monday, 8:10 p.m. EDT
Pitching Probables:
Giants: Jordan Hicks (0-0)
Astros: Ronel Blanco (0-0)
BetMGM Sportsbook Line: Astros -124, Giants +104; over/under is 8 1/2 runs
Series opener preview
The Houston Astros kick off a three-game series against the San Francisco Giants on Monday night. Both teams enter the matchup with identical 2-1 records after securing series wins to open the season.
Houston, coming off an 88-73 season in 2024, looks to build on its early success at Daikin Park. The Astros were strong at home last year, posting a 46-35 record while averaging 4.6 runs per game. Their pitching staff held opponents to 4.0 runs per game, a key factor in their success.
San Francisco, after an 80-82 season in 2024, is aiming for a stronger campaign. The Giants posted a sub-.500 road record (38-43) last year but showcased a solid offensive approach with a .396 slugging percentage and .701 OPS as a team.
The series opener will feature a matchup between Houston’s Ronel Blanco and San Francisco’s Jordan Hicks, both making their season debuts on the mound. Blanco is looking to solidify his spot in the Astros' rotation, while Hicks transitions from a bullpen role to a starter for the Giants.
Here's a sneak peek at tonight's lineup.
Stros Monday.
⚾️: 7:10 PM
🏟️: Closed
📺: @SpaceCityHN
🎙️: @SportsTalk790 | Spanish: 93.3 FM#TheNextFrontier x @reliantenergy pic.twitter.com/e5aKUro9NP
— Houston Astros (@astros) March 31, 2025
Injury Report
Houston is dealing with several injuries, with key pitchers Lance McCullers Jr., Cristian Javier, Luis Garcia, and J.P. France all on the injured list. The Giants are also without catcher Tom Murphy (back) and outfielder Jerar Encarnacion (finger).
With both teams seeking to build momentum early in the season, this series could provide an early glimpse into their respective playoff aspirations.
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Oswald Peraza hit a two-run single in the ninth inning to help the Los Angeles Angels snap a three-game losing skid by beating the Houston Astros 4-1 on Saturday night.
Peraza entered the game as a defensive replacement in the seventh inning and hit a bases-loaded fly ball to deep right field that eluded the outstretched glove of Cam Smith. It was the fourth straight hit off Astros closer Bryan Abreu (3-4), who had not allowed a run in his previous 12 appearances.
The Angels third run of the ninth inning scored when Mike Trout walked with the bases loaded.
Kyle Hendricks allowed one run while scattering seven hits over six innings. He held the Astros to 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position, the one hit coming on Jesús Sánchez’s third-inning infield single that scored Jeremy Peña.
Reid Detmers worked around a leadoff walk to keep the Astros scoreless in the seventh, and José Fermin (3-2) retired the side in order in the eighth before Kenley Jansen worked a scoreless ninth to earn his 24th save.
Houston’s Spencer Arrighetti struck out a season-high eight batters over 6 1/3 innings. The only hit he allowed was Zach Neto’s third-inning solo home run.
Yordan Alvarez had two hits for the Astros, who remained three games ahead of Seattle for first place in the AL West.
Key moment
Peraza’s two-run single to deep right field that broke a 1-1 tie in the ninth.
Key Stat
Opponents were 5 for 44 against Abreu in August before he allowed four straight hits in the ninth.
Up next
Astros RHP Hunter Brown (10-6, 2.37 ERA) faces RHP José Soriano (9-9, 3.85) when the series continues Sunday.