Texas Rangers (56-41) at Los Angeles Angels (51-46) Game 2 of 3 Preview (9:25 pm CT)

The Rangers got their 12th straight win thanks to a powerful lineup and a very impressive, hard-throwing Alexi Ogando. They’ll look to continue their crazy incredible winning streak as they meet the Angels tonight for the second of three at the Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim, California.

Pitching Matchups

RHP Dan Haren will start things off for the Angels tonight as he aims to get his 11th win of the season. Haren is 10-6 with a 2.75 ERA and is by far one of the best of the pitchers in the starting rotation of the Angels. Last time out, Haren struck out only two batters but walked none and allowed four runs on 10 hits over 6.1 innings in a loss to Oakland. His previous outing was 8.2 innings in which he allowed two runs on five hits while walking two and striking out eight. His previous two outings, he pitched one complete game of nine scoreless innings allowing just two hits and he pitched 7.1 innings allowing no runs on two hits. He’ll be a hard one to get hits off despite the Rangers’ recent surge. However, four of his six losses have come in the last 10 starts, so maybe it’ll be time for another!

LHP Derek Holland will aim for his third straight shutout tonight as he gets on the mound to face the Angels. Holland is 8-4 with a 4.32 ERA. His two previous starts were both complete game shutouts in which Holland executed his pitches perfectly and was very impressive for a young pitcher. His prior outing, however, wasn’t so impressive as he didn’t even last a full inning. He was taken out after two-thirds of the first inning after he allowed five earned runs. His start against the Angels earlier this year in the middle of May resulted in a loss for the left-handed pitcher in which the team also lost 3-2. He has the stuff to make this work, he just needs to ensure that he is focused, gets his pitches where he wants them and get those strikes.

Pitchers vs. Hitters

RHP Dan Haren: Adrian Beltre is by far the most impressive of the Rangers against Haren going 21-for-46 with six doubles, a triple, two homers and eight RBIs. Michael Young is 12-for-43 with two doubles, one homer and seven RBIs while Ian Kinsler is 5-for-22 with two doubles. Josh Hamilton and Nelson Cruz are both 2-for-5 with Hamilton having a homer and two RBIs.

LHP Derek Holland: Alberto Callaspo is 5-for-9 with three doubles and two RBIs while Bobby Abreu is 4-for-13 with two doubles and three RBIs. Vernon Wells is 1-for-4 while Jeff Mathis and Maicer Izturis are both 3-for-10. Howard Kendrick is 3-for-16 with three RBIs and one home run. The only other two homers against Holland are from Torii Hunter who is 2-for-12 with two RBIs and Erick Aybar who is 5-for-18 with one RBI against the Rangers’ lefty.