Texas @ Los Angeles preview
Angel Stadium
Last Meeting ( Jul 25, 2010 ) LA Angels 4, Texas 6
Having been the class of the American League West for the past few seasons, the Los Angeles Angels came into 2010 campaign as the early favorites in the division. Yet it has been the surprising Texas Rangers who appear at the moment set to dethrone the champs.
So, it’s safe to say that the three-game series between the two squads that gets underway on Friday is easily the biggest of the season to date, and possibly the rest of the way.
For the Angels, who have dropped seven of eight overall, it could be make-or-break time.
Texas currently holds a nine-game lead over its Los Angeles counterparts in the division and doesn’t appear content as of now. The club already swung a deal for ace Cliff Lee and on Thursday shored up its infield depth by acquiring veteran Jorge Cantu from Florida.
Los Angeles hasn’t waved the white flag yet and has been aggressive in improving the team as evident by the recent acquisitions of All-Star hurler Dan Haren and third baseman Alberto Callaspo in exchange for prospects.
But it will have to be the hitting that improves if the Angels stand a fighting chance to claw their way back in it. As a team, they are batting a meager .255.
Their best chance to break out the bats will likely come against Friday starter Scott Feldman as a duo of tough hurlers in Tommy Hunter and Cliff Lee await the following two days.
Feldman (5-9, 5.46 ERA) is winless over his past six starts, surrendering five runs in three of those appearances. His last outing was a loss at the hands of the Angels when he allowed three runs in 5 1/3 innings on Saturday.
The winner of that game was Ervin Santana (9-7, 3.55 ERA), who will eye a repeat performance after allowing two runs over eight strong innings.
Santana has been better on the road, however, but will try to improve on his home 4.39 ERA against a potent Rangers’ lineup.
Vladimir Guerrero drove in two runs in Thursday’s victory over Oakland to bring his season total to 80, fourth best in the league. Teammate Josh Hamilton leads the majors with a .362 average to go along with 23 home runs.
Texas has won five of its last seven games, doing it surprisingly with its pitching and not its bats, holding the opposition to 11 runs in those wins.