Series Preview: Los Angeles Angels (86-70) @ Texas Rangers (92-64)

The Rangers magic number is three. The Angels are one loss away from being eliminated from division contention and are also two games behind Oakland for the second wild card spot. As we keep our eyes on Arlington, let’s also remember to look West and keep an eye on Oakland @ Seattle as well. The division could be in hand by Sunday night.

Series at a Glance:

      Texas Record: 92-64 (1st AL West)
Oakland Record: 86-70 (3rd AL West, 6 GB)

Season Series: 8-8 tied
Record at Texas: 3-4

Notable Transaction: On December 8, 2011, free agent pitcher CJ Wilson signed a five year contract worth $77.5mil with LA.  Wilson had come up through the Texas system.

Probable Starters

Friday 7:05 – TEX: RHP Ryan Dempster (12-7, 4.48 ERA/3.89FIP) vs. LAA: RHP Jered Weaver (19-4,  2.74 ERA/3.72 FIP)

Saturday 3:05 – TEX: LHP Derek Holland (11-6, 4.50 ERA/4.69 FIP)  vs. LAA: RHP Ervin Santana (9-12, 4.93 ERA/5.44 FIP)

Sunday 2:05 – TEX: RHP Yu Darvish (16-9, 3.90 ERA/3.30 FIP) vs. RHP Zack Greinke (15-5, 3.40 ERA/3.82 FIP)

Starters:

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

Bench:

1. C Hank Conger
2. C John Hester
3. C Bobby Wilson  
4. 1B/OF Mark Trumbo vs LHP
5. IF Maicer Izturis
6. IF Andrew Romine 
7. OF Peter Bourjos
8. OF Kole Calhoun

Bullpen: 

1. CL RHP Ernesto Frieri
2. CL LHP Scott Downs
3. CL RHP Kevin Jepsen
4. SU RHP Jordan Walden
5. MID RHP Garrett Richards 
6. MID RHP LaTroy Hawkins 
7. MID RHP Jason Isringhausen
8. MID LHP Andrew Taylor
9. MID RHP Jerome Williams
10. MID LHP Nick Maronde 
11. LR RHP Barry Enright

**(source MLBDepthCharts)

For more information on the Angels, please visit their FanSided page at Halo Hangout.