Angels, Trout to bust out against Rangers?
Largely known for their heavy-hitting ways in recent years, the American League West-leading Rangers could well be in the midst of a profound identity change.
Texas (26-20) and its surging pitching staff will shoot to hold off division rival Los Angeles in today’s series finale, with a 2:05 p.m. ET first pitch at Global Life Park. Oddsmakers at online sports book Bovada.lv make no secret about supporting Jeff Banister’s squad here. The Angels, conversely, come in as +111 underdogs.
Colby Lewis (3-0, 2.75 ERA) accepts this afternoon’s mound assignment for the host club. Somewhat surprisingly, the Rangers own the AL’s best ERA at 3.29. Consider the fact that ace Yu Darvish has yet to take the hill in 2016, and the distinction becomes doubly impressive. Indeed, borderline under-the-radar performers such as Lewis continue to exceed expectations and confound opposing hitters. The Bakersfield native himself just twirled seven scoreless frames against Houston.
Mike Scioscia counters with Hector Santiago, who got obliterated in Friday’s 9-4 home defeat to Baltimore. The lefty served up four runs and three walks in 2 2/3 innings. He’ll be expected to go fairly deep in several hours, though, as the Halos used multiple relievers in last night’s 4-1 loss.
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Does Los Angeles (21-25) ultimately drop a consecutive set vs. Texas? That seems safe to say, but pay attention to the manner in which Mike Trout (.429 lifetime average), Albert Pujols (.333) and Kole Calhoun (.387) have ripped Lewis in the past. We’re forecasting a fairly hefty number of tallies.
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