Texas @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 7, 2013 ) LA Angels 3, Texas 7

Both the Texas Rangers and Los Angeles Angels bring three-game winning streaks into the three-game series that begins Monday in Anaheim. Texas outscored Seattle 23-3 in a three-game sweep and Los Angeles also was dominant over the weekend by outscoring Detroit 22-4. The Rangers are in first place in the American League West while the Angels are 4 1/2 games back in third place. Former Texas star Josh Hamilton is mired in a 1-for-21 slump.

Hamilton had one three-hit game and two hitless outings when he returned to Texas earlier this month as the Angels lost two of three contests. He is batting just .176 with two homers and 23 strikeouts in 68 at-bats. “It’s nothing I’m doing different,” Hamilton said. “We’ve looked at video, doing drills and things like that. There’s nothing different than the first two months of last season.” The Rangers scored a season-high 11 runs in Sunday’s victory over Seattle and have finally got their offense rolling. “We definitely took a step forward for sure with the runs we put up over the last three games,” first baseman Mitch Moreland said.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers LH Derek Holland (1-1, 1.64 ERA) vs. Angels RH Joe Blanton (0-3, 8.59)

Holland was superb in his last outing while picking up his first win of the season against the Chicago Cubs. He gave up two hits in seven shutout innings and struck out six without walking anyone. Holland took a no-decision against Los Angeles in his first start when he allowed two runs and six hits in seven innings. He is 7-5 with a 5.36 ERA in 17 career appearances (14 starts) against the Angels.

Blanton hasn’t made it past five innings while losing all three of his outings. He has given up an alarming six homers in just 14 2/3 innings and opponents are batting .377 against him. Blanton lost to the Minnesota Twins in his last start when he gave up four runs and nine hits in 4 2/3 innings. He is 6-4 with a 4.89 ERA in 13 career appearances (12 starts) against Texas.

WALK-OFFS

1. OF/INF Mark Trumbo hit the game-winning homer in Sunday’s 13-inning win over Detroit and has at least one hit in 15 of Los Angeles’ 17 games.

2. Texas 3B Adrian Beltre has 28 career homers against the Angels, including one off Garrett Richards on April 5.

3. Angels INF Howie Kendrick is batting. 341 with 10 RBIs in 41 career at-bats against Holland.

PREDICTION: Rangers 9, Angels 6