Hidden factors that could decide Astros-Mets Opening Day clash

OPENING DAY PREVIEW

Hidden factors that could decide Astros-Mets Opening Day clash
Framber Valdez will take the hill for Houston. Composite Getty Image.

The Houston Astros kick off their 2025 season on Thursday afternoon, hosting the New York Mets at Daikin Park. First pitch is set for 4:10 p.m. EDT.

Pitching matchup
Houston will send left-hander Framber Valdez to the mound, while the Mets counter with right-hander Clay Holmes. Both starters begin the season with a clean slate, looking to set the tone for their respective clubs.

Team breakdown
The Astros finished last season at 88-73, fueled by a powerful lineup that slugged .418 and averaged 1.2 home runs per game. Houston posted a strong 46-35 record at home and will look to carry that success into 2025.

The Mets, coming off an 89-73 campaign, were similarly productive at the plate, finishing with a .415 slugging percentage and a .734 OPS. They went 43-38 on the road and will look to spoil the Astros’ home opener.

Betting odds and injuries
According to BetMGM, the Astros enter as -134 favorites, while the Mets sit at +114. The over/under is set at 8 runs.

Houston enters the season opener without any listed injuries, while New York will be without infielder Nick Madrigal (shoulder) and pitchers Drew Smith (elbow) and Christian Scott (elbow), all on the 60-day IL.

With a strong home-field advantage and a steady presence in Valdez on the mound, the Astros aim to start their season with a win.

Here's a sneak peek at the Opening Day batting order. Brendan Rodgers gets the nod over Mauricio Dubon at second base.


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The Angels beat the Astros, 3-0. Composite Getty Image.

José Soriano and two relievers combined for a two-hitter and Oswald Peraza hit his first home run since a trade from the Yankees to lead the Los Angeles Angels to a 3-0 win over the Houston Astros on Sunday.

Soriano (10-9) allowed one hit and struck out eight in seven innings. Luis García allowed one hit in a scoreless eighth and Kenley Jansen threw a perfect ninth for his 25th save.

There were two outs in the fifth when Peraza connected off Hunter Brown (10-7) into the bullpen in right-center field to put the Angels up 1-0. His homer comes after his two-run single in the ninth inning Saturday helped Los Angeles to a 4-1 victory that snapped a three-game skid.

Yoan Moncada walked to start the eighth and scored on Mike Trout’s double that bounced off the wall in center field to make it 2-0. Taylor Ward walked before Luis Rengifo reached and Trout scored on an error by Lance McCullers Jr. when the pitcher overthrew first base.

Yordan Alvarez singled with no outs in the first and Soriano walked a batter in the second and sixth innings. The Astros didn’t get another hit until Ramón Urías doubled with one out in the eighth inning. Los Angeles outfielder Taylor Ward was injured trying to make a catch on that hit when he crashed face-first into the metal scoreboard in left field.

He was carted off the field holding a towel to the right side of his face. He was taken to a hospital by ambulance where interim manager Ray Montgomery said he would receive stitches to close the cut and be evaluated.

Brown allowed three hits and a run with five strikeouts in six innings. McCullers Jr. allowed three hits and two runs in his first relief appearance since 2018.

Key moment

The home run by Peraza.

Key stat

It’s the fifth time the Astros have been shut out this month.

Up next

LHP Yusei Kikuchi (6-9, 3.68 ERA) will start for Los Angeles in the series finale Monday against RHP Luis Garcia, who’ll make his return after sitting out since May 2023 recovering from Tommy John surgery.

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