The Launch Angle

Opening Series Preview: Angels vs Astros

Published by

March 26, 2026

After a long winter/offseason, especially for this fanbase on the heels of missing the postseason by one game, we can now say that the 2026 Opening Day is finally here. The roster is set. While we don’t yet know what the ultimate outcome will look like, it is exciting to have real baseball back in our lives once again.

The Astros will begin their 2026 season with a four-game home series against the Angels. So, what has changed between these two clubs since 2025?

What Has Or Hasn’t Changed For The Angels

The Angels have been a team in transition for a while, at least that is my recollection from the last several seasons. But there are some familiar faces hanging around. Mike Trout is still there, so that counts for something as long as he is healthy. We’ll see whether his body can hold up with more regular playing time in center field again. Shortstop Zach Neto, however, is probably this team’s best position player. Jo Adell took a step forward as a hitter in 2025, though there are some real concerns about his defensive viability in the outfield. Perhaps Logan O’Hoppe can recapture some of his 2024 form in 2026. They still have Yusei Kikuchi and José Soriano at the top of the rotation. While they are not aces, you can certainly do worse (see: Nationals). The bullpen won’t impress many, but there are some intriguing pieces if various pitchers can stay healthy.

But this is a top-heavy roster, although the top part isn’t all that impressive. Overall, the Angels lack depth at both the major-league and minor-league levels. FanGraphs currently projects the team in 2026 to finish with a 74-88 record with a -65 run differential. Only three teams, according to the site’s Depth Chart projections, are expected to receive less value from their roster than the Angels. Any injuries to their top players will only increase the downside risk in that projection. In other words, there isn’t a lot to like about this team as currently constructed.

Alas, the entire organization is long overdue for an overhaul. Arte Moreno has waffled in recent years about selling the club, and the club’s direction has remained incredibly murky. Kurt Suzuki is the new manager, but only on a one-year contract. General manager Perry Minasian has yet to produce a winning record since being hired in November 2020. The farm system requires plenty of work, though there is some upside in spots. But another down season relative to expectations, as we’ve seen in recent years, could spur Moreno to finally make a change in the front office. Of course, one could argue that the issue lies more with him than whoever is running baseball operations.

What Has Or Hasn’t Changed For The Astros

I won’t belabor the point too much here, as we’re already familiar with what the Astros did or didn’t do in the offseason. Most notably, they reinforced the pitching staff with multiple additions, with Mike Burrows and Tatsuya Imai representing the most consequential. Carlos Correa is back for his first full season with the Astros since 2021. Yordan Alvarez is healthy. Losing Framber Valdez in free agency will certainly sting to some extent. FanGraphs currently has the Astros finishing the 2026 season with an 81-81 record and a -1 run differential. Personally, I am leaning somewhat toward the upside scenario, especially if the overall health of the roster remains relatively intact and the pitching staff performs above the projections. 85 wins, give or take a couple of games in either direction, feels like a realistic, if slightly optimistic, expectation right now.

But while the circumstances and expectations are certainly different between these two organizations, Houston is also approaching a crossroads in its long-term direction. With both Dana Brown and Joe Espada in the last year of their respective contracts, the opportunity is there for Jim Crane to make a change if this team falls short of his expectations. Even a postseason berth might not be enough to save their jobs, especially if it is another quick, unceremonious exit, much like the one against the Tigers in the AL Wild Card round in 2024. It is worth noting that the Astros haven’t won a postseason game since Game 5 of the 2023 ALCS against the Rangers, and that Espada has yet to win a postseason game. The pressure is definitely on.

Projected Pitching Matchups (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

Game 1: RHP José Soriano vs RHP Hunter Brown
Game 2: LHP Yusei Kikuchi vs RHP Mike Burrows
Game 3: LHP Reid Detmers vs RHP Cristian Javier
Game 4: RHP Jack Kochanowicz vs RHP Tatsuya Imai

Series Outlook

A four-game set against one of the weaker teams in baseball is usually a preferred way to start one’s season. Of course, it is baseball, so never take anything for granted (take note, Mark DeRosa). Soriano and Kikuchi are solid pitchers in their own right, so I am curious to see how the lineup responds. The Angels still have some quite capable hitters in the top half of the lineup. A key storyline to watch for the Astros in this series is how Espada handles Isaac Paredes‘ playing time when Jeremy Peña is in the lineup. In addition, it’ll be interesting to see how Burrows, Javier, and Imai throw into this weekend. The performance of those three pitchers may largely determine how the 2026 season unfolds for Houston. In any case, the stage is set for the Astros to start the season on the right foot, considering the opponent and the current state of the roster. Let’s see if it actually happens.

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