Series Preview: Texas Rangers (55-36) @ Los Angeles Angels (50-43)

The Rangers are coming off of a split with the Oakland Athletics to face off against their AL West rival, the Angels. The three game series is the most important since the All-Star break for the Rangers and the fact that they are getting healthy is nice at this time, especially in the starting rotation.

Texas has struggled this season against AL West teams but have a chance to take the lead in the season series with the Angels although it will not be easy on the road against this Angels team, but with as big of a lead as they have had this season, it may be possible.

Series at a Glance

Texas Record: 55-36 (1st AL West)
Los Angeles Record: 50-43 (2nd AL West, 6 GB)

Season Series: 3-3
Record at Los Angeles: 2-1

Notable Transactions: July 29, 1997: The Anaheim Angels traded a player to be named later and Jim Leyritz to the Texas Rangers for Ken Hill. The Anaheim Angels sent Rob Sasser (October 31, 1997) to the Texas Rangers to complete the trade.

Probable Starters:

Friday 9:05 CDT TEX: LHP Derek Holland (6-4, 4.57 ERA/4.38 FIP) – LAA: RHP Jered Weaver (11-1, 2.26 ERA/3.27 FIP)

Saturday 3:05 CDT TEX: RHP Yu Darvish (10-6, 3.96 ERA/3.82 FIP) – LAA: RHP Ervin Santana (4-9, 5.60 ERA/5.41 FIP)

Sunday 7:00 CDT TEX: LHP Matt Harrison (12-4, 2.87 ERA/3.50 FIP) – LAA: TBA

Projected Angels Lineup

1 CF Mike Trout
2 RF Torii Hunter
3 1B Albert Pujols
4 LF Mark Trumbo
5 DH Kendrys Morales (B)
6 3B Alberto Callaspo (B)
7 2B Howie Kendrick
8 SS Erick Aybar (B)
9 C Bobby Wilson

Bench
C John Hester
IF Maicer Izturis (B)
OF Peter Bourjos
OF Kole Calhoun (L)

Bullpen
CL RHP Ernesto Frieri
SU LHP Scott Downs
SU RHP Jason Isringhausen
MID RHP LaTroy Hawkins
MID LHP Hisanori Takahashi
MID RHP Kevin Jepsen
LR RHP David Carpenter

(source MLBDepthCharts)

For more information on the Athletics see FanSided’s Angels page, Halo Hangout.