In the second of a three-game series between the Texas Rangers (3-5) and the Los Angeles Angels (3-5) at Globe Life Park in Arlington, Nick Martinez (1-0, 0.00 ERA) and Drew Rucinski (0-0, 0.00 ERA) take the mound. The Angels won the last game 6-3 and Los Angeles leads the series 1-0. The game starts at 8:05 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Apr. 14 and will air on FSN-W and FSN-SW.
In his last start, Martinez pitched 7.0 innings, allowing zero runs, striking out five and walking two in a 10-1 victory over the Athletics. Prince Fielder (.394 ) kept up his strong start yesterday, going 2 for 4 with one run and one RBI. In his pitching opportunities against the Rangers, Rucinski is 0-0 with a 7.20 ERA, six strikeouts and one walk. Mike Trout (.417 ) has been doing well to start the season for the Angels, going 2 for 4 yesterday with two runs and one stolen base.
Texas is a slight underdog (+102) and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at nine runs. When playing as the underdog, the Rangers have a 2-3 record and overall money line at -23.
Moving on to the opposing team, the Angels are coming into the game in dire straits. They are winless so far this season as the favorite (0-3) and have an overall money line of -255. They have the fifth-lowest road ERA in the AL at 2.42. They also allow just 1.7 walks per game, second-best in the AL.
So far this season, the Angels are 1-0 against the Rangers.
Predictions: SU Winner – LAA, O/U – Over
Notes
Los Angeles has lost all of its games (0-1) when leading after 7 innings. However, Texas has won 20% (1-4) of its games when taking a late lead.
The Angels are coming into this game after allowing one walk during their last outing. The Rangers have a 1-2 record when opponents give up that many walks or fewer.
When they outhit their opponents, the Rangers and the Angels are both undefeated. Texas has a 2-0 record in these situations while Los Angeles is 3-0.
Ranking 19th in runs, Los Angeles has earned 22 this season. Texas ranks 14th with 27 runs.
Ranking 24th, Los Angeles is near the bottom of the league in walks, notching 16 this season. Texas ranks in the bottom half at 18th with 19.
When the Rangers hit at least one home run, they are 1-0. When the Angels hit at least one homer, they have a 3-4 record.
