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Astros Going Through Pains Entering Series at Angels
The 2024 season hasn’t met expectations for the Houston Astros, who’ve won the American League West six out of the past seven years. This season, they find themselves in third place, facing numerous challenges as they prepare to face the Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim, Calif.
Struggles and Injuries
The end of the year was a rough one for Astros third baseman Alex Bregman, who finished second for the AL MVP in 2019. Bregman is expected to return to the lineup on Friday, as is his left man. On Tuesday, St. He survived one inning sufficiently in the game against the St. Louis Cardinals. Although he did not play on Wednesday, the X-ray showed no signs of injury.
“I just took some swings — it was super tender and sore,” Bregman said Wednesday. “Went to just double-check, everything checked out good. I’ll be ready to go on Friday.”
Bregman is hitting just .230 with an OPS of .697, both of which would be career lows if the season ended today. His return is crucial for the Astros as they look to improve their MLB standing.
Kyle Tucker’s Condition
Astros right fielder Kyle Tucker might not be ready for Friday’s game as he recovers from a bruised right shin. Tucker fouled a ball off his shin on Monday against the Cardinals and hasn’t played since, though X-rays were also negative.
Pitching Matchup
Left-hander Framber Valdez (4-3, 3.95 ERA) will make his 10th start of the season, coming off one of his best outings. Last Saturday against Minnesota, Valdez allowed just one run and two hits over seven innings in a 5-2 victory. Valdez has faced the Angels more than any other MLB team, boasting a 9-5 record with a 4.18 ERA in 19 games (15 starts) against them.
For the Angels, right-hander Griffin Canning (2-5, 4.69 ERA) will make his 13th start. Despite taking the loss on Sunday against Seattle, Canning pitched well, giving up only one run and four hits in 6 2/3 innings.
Angels’ Recent Performance
The Angels got their first home win of the season by beating the San Diego Padres. Despite this win, they are just 10-21 in Anaheim this season. Despite being one of the youngest teams in MLB, the Angels are determined not to use their youth as an excuse.
“(The sweep) shows a lot and that we can hang with anyone,” shortstop Zach Neto said. “It doesn’t matter how young our team is. We have the right guys in this locker room to go out there every day and show what we got. But it gives us a lot of confidence and, hopefully, gives our fans confidence we can win at home.”
Manager’s Perspective
Angels manager Ron Washington stressed that while the sweep was a positive step, the team needs to maintain that quality of play against Houston this weekend.
“It was a great three games against a good team,” Washington said. “I think we proved we can play and now we need to find that consistency.”
Expectations for the Series
As the series begins, the Astros try to overcome their recent battle and get back on track. Bregman’s return to the lineup will be important for Houston, especially considering Tucker’s situation. Valdez will need to continue his strong performance against a familiar opponent.
Meanwhile, the Angels will try to further increase their recent success on their home field. With their rising and resilient young talent, they hope to continue proving they can compete with the best teams in MLB. Canning’s performance will be crucial if he is to replicate his recent success online.
Fans can expect a competitive series as both teams have a lot to show. While the Astros are focused on climbing the standings and regaining their dominance in the AL West, the Angels are focusing on building consistency and utilizing their young strength. This MLB series promises to be an exciting matchup that will have significant consequences for both teams’ seasons.
