(Photo credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images)

The Houston Astros missed the playoffs last season for the first time in nine years, something with which the Los Angeles Angels have become familiar over the past 11 seasons.

Both teams will try to get the 2026 season off to a good start on Thursday when the Astros host the Angels in the opener of a four-game series.

'I thought we had a really good camp,' Astros manager Joe Espada said. 'We accomplished a lot of things we wanted to accomplish. There's a few injuries, but for the most part we're in a really good spot mentally and physically. We're ready to take the field and excited about 2026.'

The most noticeable injury has been to shortstop Jeremy Pena, who fractured his right ring finger on March 4 in an exhibition game between the Dominican Republic and the Detroit Tigers prior to the World Baseball Classic.

A positive sign arrived on Monday when the 2025 All-Star traveled to Houston and took batting practice, rather than stay behind and continue extended spring training. He then participated in Tuesday's exhibition game against Triple-A Sugar Land.

Hunter Brown, 27, also is coming off his best MLB season after posting a 12-9 record with a 2.43 ERA in 2025. The right-hander will start the season opener for Houston.

'I feel great,' Brown said after his final spring training outing last Friday. 'Velo is where it needs to be, my breaking stuff is sharp, so yeah, I'm feeling good about it.'

Brown has made five starts against the Angels in his career, going 1-2 with a 2.63 ERA.

One player who made huge strides during spring training toward possibly securing a starting outfield spot is Brice Matthews, who was a shortstop at Nebraska when he was drafted in the first round in 2023.

'I played (outfield) in high school, a little bit in college, so it wasn't too unfamiliar for me,' Matthews said. 'But I'm an athlete. I feel like I play wherever and be just fine wherever. So, where the team needs me to be, I'll be more than ready to go.'

The Angels open their first season under manager Kurt Suzuki, who was hired in October on a one-year deal. He's their fifth skipper since Mike Scioscia departed after the 2018 season.

'Things aren't going to be easy all the time,' Suzuki said. 'I think, as a player, playing as long as I did, not being a great player when I did, and enduring a lot of rough stretches, that I feel like it helped me for this moment.'

Suzuki played for five different MLB teams during his 16-year career (2007-22), mainly as a backup catcher. He then spent the past three seasons as a special assistant to Angels general manager Perry Minasian before taking the managerial position with no previous coaching experience.

'Everybody knows him, easy to talk to,' Angels left-hander Reid Detmers said. 'He definitely relates to the players because of what he was doing three, four years ago, whatever it was. But yeah, he's great.'

Josh Lowe also is expected to make his Angels debut after the veteran outfielder was acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays in a three-team trade in January.

'He's definitely looking more comfortable,' Suzuki said of Lowe. 'The swing's looking a little more crisp, decision-making is getting better. And even he told me, he said, 'My swing's getting closer and closer.''

The Angels plan to start right-hander Jose Soriano in the season opener.

Soriano went 10-11 with a 4.26 ERA in 31 starts last season. He is 2-0 with a 1.04 ERA in six career appearances against the Astros, including two starts.

--Field Level Media