Los Angeles @ Texas preview
Choctaw Stadium
Last Meeting ( May 17, 2010 ) LA Angels 3, Texas 4
The Texas Rangers and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim wrap up a two-game series on Tuesday night with both teams sending their aces to the mound.
The Rangers hope left-hander C.J. Wilson can continue his remarkable season, while the Angels counter with big right-hander Jered Weaver.
Wilson was sharp in his last start, allowing one run and four hits with three walks and five strikeouts against the Oakland Athletics. It marked Wilson’s seven straight quality start to open the season, the first time that has been in done in club history.
Heading into spring training, the odds were certainly going against Wilson. He seemed like a long shot to make the rotation after spending the previous four years in the bullpen.
But the Rangers gave Wilson a chance and he has capitalized on it, ranking among the American League leaders in ERA. More impressively, Wilson has not allowed a home run in his last 43 appearances, including seven starts this season (84 2/3 innings). That string includes 69 1/3 innings at Rangers Ballpark, the longest such stretch at the ballpark.
Offensively, Texas would like to start giving Wilson more support. So far this season, the offense has provided him 2.59 runs support, the second-lowest in the AL.
On Monday night, there were some positives at the plate for the Rangers. Nelson Cruz had a two-run double, Vladimir Guerrero had a double and Michael Young had a sacrifice fly and finished 1-for-3.
The Angels, meanwhile, are still searching for their offense to ignite. They are the only team in the majors that has yet to score four or more runs in an inning and they’ve been outscored by 35 runs this season.
The team almost dug itself out of an early 4-0 hole on Monday night, but managed only three runs on a two-run home run from Mike Napoli and a solo shot from Torii Hunter.
After the game, the talk surrounded on Napoli’s long fly ball that fell just short in the ninth inning that would’ve tied the contest. Also, Hunter getting thrown out in the eighth inning after Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus made a great defensive play in shallow left field.
Regardless, the Angels feel good about Tuesday’s game with Weaver on the hill.
In his last start against the Tampa Bay Rays, Weaver ended up allowing four runs - one earned - on six hits with a career-best 12 strikeouts over seven innings. While he ended up taking the loss, the difference came on two passed balls - which led to three unearned runs.
Still, it marked the seventh straight quality start for Weaver, who is 4-3 with a 3.39 ERA in 14 career outings against the Rangers.