Hector Santiago (9-9, 3.59 ERA) and the Los Angeles Angels (0-2) meet Derek Holland (4-4, 5.64 ERA) and the Texas Rangers (1-2) in the first of a four-game division series at Angel Stadium. Action starts at 10:05 p.m. ET on Thursday, Apr. 7 and will air on FS1.
Santiago will take the mound after recording 180.2 innings last year, closing out the season with a 9-9 record, 3.59 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, and 162 strikeouts. Yunel Escobar (.125 ) went 1 for 4 Tuesday with one run. Holland will pitch for the Rangers. Last season he pitched 60.2 innings last season, going 4-4 with a 5.64 ERA 1.35 WHIP, and zero strikeouts. Adrian Beltre (.300 ) has been hitting the ball well to start the season, going 2 for 3 yesterday with one run.
Notes
The Angels are coming off of a hot pitching game where they recorded nine strikeouts. The Rangers have a record of 1-2 when they are struck out that many times or more.
Los Angeles ranks near the bottom of the league when it comes to home runs, hitting zero this season. Texas ranks in the bottom half at 20th with one.
Ranking 30th, Los Angeles is at the bottom of the league in walks, notching one this season. Texas ranks in the top five at second with 13.
When the Rangers allow at least one home run, they are 1-2. When the Angels allow one or more homers, they have a 0-2 record.