In the first of a three-game series between the Los Angeles Angels (7-9) and the Texas Rangers (7-9) at Angel Stadium, Garrett Richards (0-1, 5.40 ERA) and Colby Lewis (1-1, 3.79 ERA) get the start. The game starts at 10:05 p.m. ET on Friday, Apr. 24 and will air on FSN-SW and FSN-W.
Richards is 6-1 with a 3.43 ERA against the Rangers in his career, and faces a struggling Texas offense that’s hitting just .215 on the year. Kole Calhoun (.271, 9 Rs, 3 HRs, 10 RBIs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one run, one home run, and two RBIs. In his career against the Angels, Lewis is 2-7 with a 5.86 ERA. He meets a less-than-stellar Los Angeles offense that’s batting just .213.
Los Angeles is a heavy -185 favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is seven runs. The Angels perform poorly as a favorite with a 4-7 record and have an overall money line of -450. They have a 6-6 record SU and are 4-4 as favorite within their division. Whenever an AL West opponent shows up on the calendar, the Angels pitch better. They allow an average of 4.4 runs per game, but allow just 3.9 against teams from their own division.
Switching gears, the Rangers come into this game with a weak win percentage of .385 when playing as the underdog (5-8) and an overall money line of -135. Against divisional rivals, they are 5-8 SU and have played poorly as the underdog with a 4-7 record. Opposing pitchers have routinely struggled to strike out the Texas batters, who rank fourth in the AL with 7.1 strikeouts per game.
The Angels are 2-1 against the Rangers this season. The Angels will take on a right-hander (Lewis) in this game. They have a 3-7 record against right-handed starting pitchers this season, but are a winless 0-4 at home. The right-handed Richards will take the mound against the Rangers, who have a 5-5 record against righty starters this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – LAA, O/U – Over
Notes
After last game’s shutout win against the Oakland Athletics, the Angels now have two shutouts this season. The Rangers have been shut out in two games this season.
When leading after 7 innings, Los Angeles is 2-4, while Texas is 2-6.
The Angels are coming into this game after allowing two walks during their last outing. The Rangers have a 3-5 record when opponents give up that many walks or fewer.
When they are outhit, the Rangers are 2-9. The Angels have a 2-8 record when opponents outhit them.
Texas ranks in the bottom half of the league at 20th when it comes to home runs, hitting 12 this season. Los Angeles ranks in the top 10 at 10th with 15.
Los Angeles and Texas both rank in the top half of the league in hits. Los Angeles sits at 13th with 7.33 hits per game and Texas ranks 14th with 7.27.
Los Angeles and Texas both rank near the bottom of the league for their on-base plus slugging percentage. Los Angeles sits at 26th with an OPS of .625 and Texas ranks 25th with an OPS of .643.
The Rangers are 1-7 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Angels are 4-9 when they allow at least one homer.
