Texas @ Los Angeles preview
Angel Stadium of Anaheim
Last Meeting ( Jul 31, 2013 ) LA Angels 1, Texas 2
The streaking Texas Rangers could be without their top slugger when they visit the American League West-rival Los Angeles Angels for the opener of their three-game series on Monday. Texas, which has won six of its last seven to climb within 2 1/2 games of the division-leading Oakland Athletics, will learn the fate of Nelson Cruz as he is expected to be suspended for his involvement in the Biogenesis scandal. "I haven't decided what I'm going to do about anything," Cruz said prior to Sunday's game against Oakland when asked if he planned to appeal any punishment he receives.
Cruz belted his team-leading 27th home run and Derek Holland tossed eight stellar innings as Texas earned Ron Washington his 582nd victory, making him the winningest manager in club history. The Angels squandered a late three-run lead Sunday and had their quest to complete a four-game sweep thwarted as they dropped a 6-5 decision to the Toronto Blue Jays. Los Angeles, which is 12 1/2 games behind Oakland, lost six in a row and nine of 11 prior to the series against Toronto.
TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, FSN Southwest (Texas), FSN West (Los Angeles)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers LH Martin Perez (3-3, 3.93 ERA) vs. Angels RH Jerome Williams (5-7, 4.60)
Perez is coming off the longest outing of his major-league career, a no-decision against the Angels at home on Wednesday in which he yielded just one run and four hits over 7 1/3 innings. The 22-year-old Venezuelan struggled in his previous three outings, going 0-2 while surrendering 15 earned runs in 15 frames. Perez is 2-2 with a 6.00 ERA in five road starts this season.
Williams also deserved a better fate at Texas on Wednesday as he settled for a no-decision after allowing one run over 7 2/3 innings. The 31-year-old's winless streak reached eight starts, as he is 0-5 since defeating the Orioles on June 12 in Baltimore. Williams, who is 2-5 with a 5.06 ERA at home this season, won his only career decision against the Rangers.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Rangers, who have lost eight of 11 on the road, swept a three-game series against the Angels at home last week. All three victories came in walk-off fashion.
2. Cruz is 11-for-18 lifetime against Williams with four home runs and 10 RBIs.
3. Angels OF Josh Hamilton is 14-for-36 in nine games against his former club this season.
PREDICTION: Rangers 7, Angels 2