OPENING DAY PREVIEW
Hidden factors that could decide Astros-Mets Opening Day clash
Mar 27, 2025, 10:23 am
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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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.