Nolan Writin' » LA Angels

Texas Rangers (56-42) at Los Angeles Angels (52-46) Game 3 of 3 Preview (2:35 pm CT)

Thu, 21 Jul 2011 14:44:00 +0000

Last night, the Los Angeles Angels halted the 12-game winning streak of the Texas Rangers with a 9-8 victory that came thanks to a large sixth inning of hits for the Angels. Both teams scored a lot of runs last night and this afternoon is going to be a night that the runs say it all as both of the pitchers have won their previous six decisions and are one of the best among their teams.

Looking to increase their four-game lead over the Angels in the AL West rather than decrease it to a three-game lead, the Rangers offense will need to be in line, fully charged and ready to surge some balls out of the park. Here’s a look at the matchups for this afternoon’s game. (more…)

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

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 21:45:49 +0000

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! (more…)

Ogando Impressive in Rangers 7-0 Win Over Angels

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 17:34:31 +0000

The Texas Rangers went to Anaheim, California, to meet the Los Angeles Angels, who are virtually the only team they have to defeat for the AL West division title, for a “critical” series. They headed into the game with 11 straight wins and four games ahead of the Angels in the AL West. Then, they left the game with 12 straight wins and five games ahead of the Angels in the AL West.

Ogando Dominated the Mound

All-around, it was a fantastic game. Alexi Ogando, who started the season off very well after turning into a starter from a reliever and just made his first appearance as a starter in the 2011 All-Star Game, showed that he has exactly what it takes to stay in the starting rotation proving to the Rangers as well as everyone else that he deserves the spot that he has been given. (more…)