Houston Astros vs Los Angeles Angels Picks and Predictions May 21st 2024

Young Angels’ Power Surge Fuels Comeback Victory Against Astros

The Los Angeles Angels lit up the night with a thrilling 9-7 comeback win over the Houston Astros on Monday. Trailing 6-1 in the fifth inning, the young guns of the Angels stepped up and delivered a historic performance, showcasing the team’s bright future.

Historic Performance by Young Talent

For the first time in the club’s history, all four home runs came from players aged 25 or younger. The charge was led by Nolan Schanuel (22) and Logan O’Hoppe (24), who smashed back-to-back three-run homers off Astros’ left-hander Framber Valdez. Jo Adell, newly 25, added to the fireworks with a solo shot, pushing the Angels ahead 8-6. Zach Neto (23) put the icing on the cake with his sixth home run of the season in the sixth inning, sealing the game’s outcome.

Resilient and Growing Team

Manager Ron Washington couldn’t contain his pride in his young squad. “They’re growing up,” Washington said. “They’re starting to figure things out. They really didn’t try to do too much and ended up doing a lot. And that’s what it’s about. We’re showing some resiliency, and I just keep saying it: They’re figuring it out. And the work they’re putting in is starting to pay off.”

Looking Ahead to the Next Game

Riding high on this momentum, the Angels are set for Tuesday night’s game in Houston. Griffin Canning (2-4, 5.21 ERA) will be on the mound, aiming to secure the Angels’ third consecutive road series win. Canning comes off a stellar performance against the St. Louis Cardinals, where he allowed just one run over six innings. However, he has had a tough time against the Astros historically, with a 0-2 record and a 7.71 ERA over six starts.

The Astros will counter with right-hander Cristian Javier (3-1, 3.23 ERA), fresh off the injured list. Javier’s recent outing against the Oakland Athletics was dominant, striking out eight over six scoreless innings. His record against the Angels is solid, boasting a 5-1 record and a 2.79 ERA in 11 appearances.

Astros’ Bright Spot

Despite the loss, the Astros had a standout performance from catcher Yainer Diaz. Batting eighth, Diaz went 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI, and two runs. This was his first multi-hit game since mid-May, a positive sign in a challenging month where he’s hit .226 with a .536 OPS, down from .266 and .736 in April.

Astros manager Joe Espada noted Diaz’s improved approach, saying, “Some changeups, he actually waited for them to be up in the zone, and he drove them to left-center. He had some really good at-bats all around.”

Conclusion

Monday night’s game was a testament to the rising talent within the Angels’ ranks. As they continue their series against the Astros, the focus remains on maintaining this momentum and nurturing their young stars. With exciting performances from Schanuel, O’Hoppe, Adell, and Neto, the future is looking incredibly bright for the Angels.