Garrett Richards (12-10, 3.80 ERA) and Martin Perez (2-3, 5.15 ERA) start in the first of a three-game series between the Los Angeles Angels (67-66) and the Texas Rangers (70-62) at Angel Stadium. Action begins at 10:05 p.m. ET on Friday, Sep. 4 and can be seen on FSW and FSSW.
Richards pitched 7.0 innings in his most recent start, surrendering three runs and striking out nine in an 8-3 defeat to the Indians. Mike Trout (.297, 84 Rs, 33 HRs, 74 RBIs, 10 SBs) continued his strong play Wednesday, going 2 for 5 with one run. Perez went 6.1 innings, surrendering three runs and striking out four in a 4-3 win over the Orioles in his last outing. Rougned Odor (.278, 39 Rs, 11 HRs, 43 RBIs, 5 SBs) went 1 for 5 Wednesday.
The odds for Los Angeles and Texas are even, while the Over/Under (O/U) is currently not available. Within its division, Los Angeles has a record of 30-24 SU. The Angels have seen an uptick in scoring against teams inside their division, averaging 4.5 runs per game. They average 4.0 runs per game on the season. The Angels are one of the best in the MLB in terms of extra base hits with 346. Los Angeles’s batters do not strike out very often, with only 7.1 per game. Los Angeles’s pitching staff has been doing poorly against opposing offenses during the last 10 games, allowing an average of 6.1 runs per game, well above its season average of 4.1. The Angels are the fifth-best team in the AL at limiting hits during home games, allowing only 8.1 hits per game to their opponents this season.
The Rangers are 20-29 against AL West foes. Texas’s pitching staff is one of the top in the AL at pitching on the road, with a 4.06 ERA.
The Angels lead the season series, 8-4. The Angels have a 19-16 record against left-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Perez takes the mound. Richards (RHP) will be on the hill against the Rangers, who have a 47-38 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – LAA
Notes
The Rangers won their last game by a one-run margin. In games decided by one run, the Angels are 23-15. The Rangers are 24-20 in close games this season.
The Angels are coming into this game after allowing zero walks during their last outing. The Rangers have a 4-4 record when opponents give up that many walks.
When they are outhit, the Angels are 15-48. The Rangers have a 16-47 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 13th in home runs, Texas has hit 137 this season. Los Angeles ranks 10th with 140 home runs.
Ranking 14th, Los Angeles is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 8.18 per game. Texas ranks in the top 10 at sixth with 8.77.
Ranking 25th, Los Angeles is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.696). Texas ranks in the top 10 at ninth with an OPS of .732.
The Rangers are 35-47 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Angels are 34-54 when they allow at least one homer.
