Chi Chi Gonzalez (2-3, 2.59 ERA) and Garrett Richards (8-5, 3.54 ERA) take the hill in the first of a three-game series between the Texas Rangers (41-39) and the Los Angeles Angels (41-38) at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Action begins at 8:05 p.m. ET on Friday, Jul. 3 and can be seen on FSN-W and FSN-SW.
Gonzalez pitched 6.0 innings in his most recent start, surrendering three runs, striking out three and walking four in a 3-2 defeat to the Blue Jays. Prince Fielder (.345, 39 Rs, 12 HRs, 49 RBIs) continued his strong play yesterday, going 2 for 3. When pitching against the Rangers, Richards is 7-1 with a 3.34 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, and 54 strikeouts. Mike Trout (.303, 57 Rs, 21 HRs, 44 RBIs, 9 SBs) went 1 for 3 Wednesday with one run, one home run, and one RBI.
Los Angeles takes on Texas as a -134 favorite. The Over/Under (O/U) for the matchup is sitting at nine runs. The Rangers have an overall money line of +1,474 and a record as the underdog of 35-34. Texas has had a discouraging season against division opponents, earning records of 10-17 and 11-20 as the underdog and SU respectively. The Rangers have seen a decline in scoring against teams inside their division, averaging 3.7 runs per game. They average 4.3 runs per game on the season. Texas’s pitchers fall apart when division rivals are on the field. Its average runs allowed per game rises to 4.8 against fellow AL West members, compared to its 4.3 season average.
In games where it is the favorite, Los Angeles has a 25-20 record and an overall money line of -53. They have been playing solid baseball as favorite with a 15-9 record against fellow AL West members, and a 22-16 record SU. Offensively, the Angels have really sputtered in the last 10 games. They have decreased their season average of 3.8 runs per game by averaging 2.6 during that stretch. Los Angeles is excellent at not striking out n the road with just 7.1 per game, ranking fourth in the AL.
The Angels lead the season series, 4-2. The Rangers have a 26-23 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Richards takes the mound. Gonzalez (RHP) will be on the hill against the Angels, who have a 30-32 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – LAA, O/U – Over
Notes
After last game’s shutout win against the Baltimore Orioles, the Rangers now have four shutouts this season. The Angels have been shut out in four games this season.
The Rangers and the Angels are both 3-3 in games that go into extra innings.
Having scored one run in their last game, the Angels are going to have to up their game if they want to win this matchup. The Rangers have a 19-1 record in games where opponents scored that many runs or fewer.
When they outhit their opponents, the Angels are 29-9. The Rangers have a 31-4 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 24th, Los Angeles sits near the bottom of the league in runs, scoring 303 this season. Texas ranks in the top 10 at eighth with 346.
Ranking 17th, Los Angeles is in the bottom half of the league in walks, notching 222 this season. Texas ranks in the top half at 11th with 238.
The Rangers are 30-18 when they hit at least one home run. The Angels perform similarly when they hit one or more homers with a 30-20 record.
