Texas @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 23, 2013 ) Texas 4, LA Angels 5

The Texas Rangers are the only team in the major leagues that has yet to lose consecutive games this season, but that could change when they visit the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday in the finale of their three-game series. The Angels beat the Rangers on a walk-off home run by Howie Kendrick in the 11th inning Tuesday, the second of two long balls hit by the right-handed hitting second baseman. Angels leadoff hitter Peter Bourjos is 10-for-19 in the last five games.

The hottest batter for the Rangers has been their No. 9 hitter - first baseman Mitch Moreland. He is 6-for-13 in the last three games after collecting eight hits in the first 18 games. A.J. Pierzynski has also been swinging the bat well, delivering six hits in the last four games, including a solo home run in the ninth inning of the series opener, which proved to be the difference in the 7-6 victory.

TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Southwest (Texas), Fox Sports West (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox RH Yu Darvish (3-1, 2.03 ERA) vs. Angels LH Michael Roth (1-0, 3.60)

Darvish is on pace to become the first pitcher to strike out at least 300 batters in a season since Curt Schilling and Randy Johnson of the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2002. He has already beaten the Angels this season to boost his career record to 4-1, the most wins he owns against any opponent. Darvish has faced 101 batters this season, allowing nine singles and four doubles for a .144 average. Angels outfielder Mike Trout has done better against Darvish. He is 6-for-19 with two home runs, but Kendrick is 0-for-12, Mark Trumbo 3-for-18 and Chris Iannetta has struck out six times in 10 at-bats.

Roth makes a spot start after scheduled starter Tommy Hanson went on the bereavement list Monday. Roth, a rookie who was drafted in the ninth round last June out of the University of South Carolina, has made four appearances out of the bullpen this season, allowing two runs and four hits in five innings. He threw 145 innings as a junior at South Carolina, helping the Gamecocks repeat as College World Series champions. There was speculation that Jerome Williams would get the nod for the series finale, but he threw three innings Sunday against the Detroit Tigers and manager Mike Scioscia decided he wasn’t ready to come back on two days rest.

WALK-OFFS

1. Angels RHP Ernesto Frieri has four saves in his career against the Rangers, but is 0-2 and also has a blown save. He has allowed five home runs in 13 innings against Texas, but hasn’t given up more than two home runs against any other team in the league.

2. Nelson Cruz has 23 home runs in his career against the Angels, more than any other opponent.

3. Only two starting pitchers for the Angels have recorded an out in the seventh inning this season, Jason Vargas and Garrett Richards (twice).

PREDICTION: Angels 3, Rangers 2