Series Preview: Texas Rangers (87-59) @ Los Angeles Angels (80-67)

This is a big series for both teams but it is immensely important for the Angels. 7.5 games back of Texas and 3 back of the second Wild Card spot means they need to put some wins together otherwise this will be quite the disappointing season.

Aug 2, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Los Angeles Angels catcher Bobby Wilson (46) tags out Texas Rangers outfielder David Murphy (7) in the seventh inning called out by home plate umpire Jim Joyce at Rangers Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-US PRESSWIRE

Texas can really play spoiler (while increasing their chances to clinch) by winning their series and it is interesting that they will be facing a former teammate and a guy everyone thought could have been their teammate in C.J. Wilson and Zack Greinke.

Series at a Glance

Texas Record: 87-59 (1st AL West)
Los Angeles Record: 80-67 (3rd AL West, 7.5 GB of division, 3 GB of second Wild Card)

Season Series: 7-6 Los Angeles
Record at Los Angeles: 2-4

Notable Transaction: 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:

Tuesday 9:05 CDT TEX: RHP Ryan Dempster (6-1, 4.11 ERA/3.54 FIP) – LAA: RHP Jered Weaver (17-4, 2.74 ERA/3.64 FIP)

Wednesday 9:05 CDT TEX: LHP Derek Holland (10-6, 4.50 ERA/4.58 FIP) – LAA: LHP C.J. Wilson (12-9, 3.73 ERA/3.96 FIP)

Thursday 9:05 CDT TEX: RHP Yu Darvish (15-9, 4.02 ERA/3.38 FIP) – LAA: RHP Zack Greinke (5-2, 3.78 ERA/4.27 FIP)

Projected Angels Lineup
1 CF Mike Trout
2 RF Torii Hunter
3 1B Albert Pujols
4 DH Kendrys Morales (B) vs RHP
5 2B Howie Kendrick
6 SS Erick Aybar (B)
7 LF Vernon Wells
8 3B Alberto Callaspo (B)
9 C Chris Iannetta

Bench
C Hank Conger (B)
C John Hester
C Bobby Wilson
1B/OF Mark Trumbo DH vs LHP
IF Maicer Izturis (B)
IF Andrew Romine (L)
OF Peter Bourjos
OF Kole Calhoun (L)

Bullpen
CL RHP Ernesto Frieri
SU LHP Scott Downs
SU RHP Kevin Jepsen
SU RHP Jordan Walden
MID RHP Garrett Richards
MID RHP LaTroy Hawkins
MID RHP Jason Isringhausen
MID LHP Andrew Taylor
MID RHP Jerome Williams
MID LHP Nick Maronde
LR RHP Barry Enright

(source MLBDepthCharts)

For more information on the Mariners see FanSided’s Mariners page, SoDo Mojo.