2025-09-28 Astros at Angels Matchup Preview
This late-season contest pits the Houston Astros' potent offense against the Los Angeles Angels and their pitching, with playoff implications potentially in the balance.
Pitching Matchup: Lance McCullers Jr. vs. Sam Aldegheri
Lance McCullers Jr. takes the mound for the Astros, bringing his repertoire to Anaheim. McCullers will lean on his ability to mix speeds and generate movement to keep the Angels' hitters off balance. His success hinges on commanding his breaking pitches and preventing hitters from sitting on his fastball. The Angels will look to exploit any inconsistencies in his command and force him to work deep into counts.
The Angels counter with Sam Aldegheri, who needs to be sharp to contain the Astros' lineup. Aldegheri's effectiveness depends on his ability to locate his pitches and avoid leaving anything over the heart of the plate. If he can induce weak contact and keep the ball on the ground, he can limit the damage against a Houston team known for its power.
Astros' Hitting Approach
The Astros boast one of the more formidable offenses in baseball, a lineup constructed to generate runs through a combination of power and patience. With an average age of 29, this is a veteran lineup that won't easily get rattled. Their Weighted On-Base Average of 0.32 indicates a lineup that consistently gets on base. However, the Angels will try to exploit the Astros with pitches that induce ground balls.
Against a pitcher like Aldegheri, who relies on location and movement, the Astros' hitters will need to focus on staying disciplined and waiting for pitches they can drive. They cannot afford to be over-aggressive and expand the strike zone, as that will play into Aldegheri's hands. Patient at-bats and capitalizing on mistakes will be crucial for the Astros to manufacture runs.
Angels' Hitting Approach
The Angels' offense, with an average age of 28, aims to leverage their Weighted On-Base Average of 0.32 to get runners on base. They'll need to find ways to disrupt McCullers' rhythm and force him into uncomfortable situations. Their ability to steal bases could be a valuable asset in this game, putting pressure on McCullers and the Astros' defense.
Facing McCullers, the Angels' hitters must be prepared to battle deep into counts and make him work for every out. They need to be selective in their pitch selection, focusing on driving pitches in the strike zone. If they can force McCullers to throw a high number of pitches early in the game, they can gain an advantage as the game progresses. The Angels will need to string together hits and capitalize on any opportunities that arise.
Bullpen Considerations
Both teams' bullpens could play a significant role in the outcome of this game. The Astros, with a strong bullpen, will look to shorten the game and rely on their relievers to hold any lead they may have. The Angels' bullpen will need to be equally effective in shutting down the Astros' offense if they want to stay competitive.
The late-inning matchups will be crucial, and both managers will need to make strategic decisions based on the flow of the game. The ability to mix and match relievers based on matchups could be the difference between victory and defeat.
Game Prediction
This game has all the makings of a close, hard-fought contest. The Astros' offense presents a significant challenge for Aldegheri and the Angels' pitching staff. However, if Aldegheri can execute his pitches and keep the ball in the ballpark, the Angels have a chance to keep the game close. The Angels' offense will need to be opportunistic against McCullers, capitalizing on any mistakes and manufacturing runs. Ultimately, the Astros' consistent offensive production gives them a slight edge in this matchup.
Astros 7 Angels 5