Division Battle
Arlington, TX – Ian Kinsler may have been targeted by the Los Angeles Angels after a two-homer performance. It’s tough, though, to pinpoint one player to try to intimidate when an opponent wins by playing small ball.
After a scrappy performance by Kinsler and his teammates, the AL West-leading Texas Rangers look to win seven straight for the first time in three years when they conclude a three-game set with the Angels on Sunday.
Oddsmakers from online sportsbook SBG Global have made the Angels -110 moneyline favorites for Sunday’s game against the Rangers. Current MLB Public Betting Information shows that 67% of more than 153 bets for this game have been placed on the Angels -110.
With a lineup that leads the majors with 62 home runs, the Rangers (22-14) have jumped out to a 2 1/2-game lead over the two-time defending AL West champion Angels (18-17).
Texas had 12 homers in the first five games of its six-game run, but managed to beat Los Angeles 5-3 on Saturday despite failing to homer for just the fifth time this season.
"Those guys are swinging the bats well," Angels manager Mike Scioscia told the team’s official Web site. "We’ve got to make better pitches."
Kinsler set the tone for Texas early after getting hit on the second pitch of the bottom of the first by John Lackey, who was then ejected in what was his season debut after being activated from the disabled list earlier in the day. Kinsler, who was perhaps being thrown at after hitting two home runs in a 10-9 win Friday night, then stole second and eventually scored on a sacrifice fly.
"It was interesting," said Kinsler, who is batting .429 at home.
The second baseman has a team-high 11 homers and is one of three Rangers with at least 10. He has helped put Texas in position to win seven in a row for the first time since a nine-game winning streak in May 2005.
Texas closer Frank Francisco has played a large role in the team’s success – converting all nine of save opportunities – but he was put on the disabled list Saturday due to right biceps tendinitis. Francisco, who hasn’t pitched since May 6, didn’t feel sharp during a bullpen session before Saturday’s game.
"I was throwing good, had my location and no pain," said Francisco, who has made 25 straight scoreless appearances – 14 this season. "But the ball didn’t jump out of my hand like it usually does."
C.J. Wilson has saved each of this series’ first two games in place of Francisco. He was the Rangers’ primary closer last year, saving 24 games but posting a 6.02 ERA.
Wilson was not a part of an excellent bullpen effort in the last start made by Scott Feldman (2-0, 4.85 ERA), who will take the mound Sunday. The right-hander gave up one run and four hits in 6 1-3 innings, and two Texas relievers held Seattle without a hit for the rest of the game as the Rangers won 7-1 on Tuesday night.
Feldman is 2-0 with a 2.74 ERA in four starts after beginning the season in the bullpen. He is 1-3 with a 6.39 ERA in four starts and nine relief appearances against Los Angeles.
The Angels will counter with Jered Weaver (3-1, 2.45), who has allowed one run or less in three of his last four starts. He yielded one run and four hits in seven innings against Boston on Tuesday night, but Los Angeles’ bullpen couldn’t hold on in a 4-3 loss.
The right-hander is 2-1 with a 2.54 ERA in nine starts against the Rangers.
Angels leadoff hitter Chone Figgins has had plenty of success versus Texas in this series, going 6 for 9 after coming in with two hits in his previous 23 at-bats. He’s 3 for 15 (.200) against Feldman.
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Posted: 5/16/09 11:53PM ET
