Los Angeles @ Texas preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 18, 2018 ) LA Angels 11, Texas 7

The Los Angeles Angels had their offense in high gear in their last contest and attempt to earn a split of their four-game series when they visit the Texas Rangers for the finale on Sunday. The Angels pounded out 16 hits, including five home runs, en route to an 11-7 triumph on Saturday after losing the first two games of the series.

Albert Pujols went 3-for-4 with a homer and four RBIs, Shohei Ohtani belted a pinch-hit, three-run shot and Taylor Ward launched the first blast of his career as Los Angeles improved to 4-2 on its nine-game road trip. Pujols has hit safely in 23 of his last 27 contests while Ward has driven in a run in four of his first five major-league games. Rougned Odor and Elvis Andrus each recorded three hits and an RBI while Joey Gallo went 3-for-5 with three runs scored as the Rangers fell to 3-2 on their six-game homestand. Gallo has gone 6-for-13 with a homer and four RBIs over the first three games of the series while Adrian Beltre returned to the lineup Saturday after missing three contests with a strained hamstring and delivered a two-run single.

TV: 3:05 p.m. ET, FS West (Los Angeles), FS Southwest (Texas)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels RH Jaime Barria (8-7, 3.50 ERA) vs. Rangers RH Bartolo Colon (7-10, 5.19)

Barria won his third consecutive decision on Tuesday, when he allowed just one run and six hits over five innings at San Diego. The 22-year-old Panamanian rookie was even better in his previous outing as he scattered five hits over 5 2/3 scoreless frames in a victory over Detroit. Barria made his major-league debut at Texas on April 11 and faced the Rangers at home on June 1, winning both starts while giving up one run and five hits over 11 innings.

After losing all five of his starts in July, Colon has won each of his first two turns this month despite yielding seven runs and 12 hits in 12 innings. The 45-year-old Dominican, who is the winningest Latino pitcher in major-league history with 247 victories, has not allowed fewer than three runs since giving up two at Minnesota on June 24. Colon is 12-9 with five complete games, four shutouts and a 3.88 ERA in 26 starts and one relief appearance against the Angels - the team with which he won the AL Cy Young Award in 2005.

WALK-OFFS

1. Angels 2B David Fletcher is riding a five-game hitting streak after recording his third two-hit performance in that span - and driving in three runs - in Saturday's victory.

2. Texas is hopeful LHP Mike Minor (back) will pitch against Oakland early next week after being scratched from his scheduled start on Friday.

3. Los Angeles RHP Akeel Morris was sent outright to Triple-A Salt Lake on Saturday - three days after being designated for assignment.

PREDICTION: Angels 10, Rangers 3