Los Angeles @ Texas preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 29, 2012 ) LA Angels 0, Texas 0

The Los Angeles Angels have managed to stay in the race this long, and are hanging on for dear life. The Angels trail the Oakland Athletics by 2 1/2 games for the final American League wild card spot with five contests left. The Texas Rangers are on the verge of securing at least a wild card spot and have a magic number of three to clinch the AL West. The Rangers are 2 1/2 games up on the Athletics in the division.

Both teams could have pitching issues in the final five games after Saturday’s contest was rained out. The teams will make that up as part of the first split doubleheader ever at Rangers Ballpark on Sunday. Los Angeles has won six of its last seven games and received strong starting pitching in each of those victories. Jered Weaver became the first Los Angeles pitcher since Bartolo Colon in 2005 to reach 20 wins with seven strong innings on Friday and could get one more start on the final day of the regular season. Texas has been less competent on the mound, allowing at least seven runs in each of the last three games.

TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, FSW (Los Angeles), FSSW (Texas)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels RH Zack Greinke (6-2, 3.40 ERA) vs. Rangers RH Yu Darvish (16-9, 3.90)

Greinke has not lost since Aug. 17 and has allowed two earned runs or less in each of his last seven starts. The former Cy Young winner struck out 13 batters against Seattle on Tuesday in just five innings to earn a win. Greinke allowed one run on five hits in eight innings against Texas on Sept. 20 but was held out of the decision. He is 3-5 with a 2.63 ERA in 13 career games - 11 starts - against the Rangers.

Darvish was scratched from his scheduled start on Tuesday with a stiff neck but has been sharp in September, going 3-0 with a 1.80 ERA in four starts. He struck out nine and held the Angels to one run on four hits over eight innings to earn a win in his last start on Sept. 20. The Japanese right-hander has not lost since Aug. 17 and has turned in a quality start in each of his last seven trips. Darvish is 3-1 with a 4.26 ERA in five starts against Los Angeles in 2012.

WALK-OFFS

1. Los Angeles CF Mike Trout set the franchise record for runs with his 125th on Friday. The rookie needs one home run and three stolen bases to join Eric Davis and Barry Bonds as the only players in history with 30 homers and 50 steals.

2. Rangers slugger Josh Hamilton is stuck on 43 home runs, tied with Detroit’s Miguel Cabrera for the major-league lead.

3. Angels 1B/DH Kendrys Morales left Friday’s game with sore ribs and was out of Saturday‘s proposed lineup. He is day-to-day.