Los Angeles @ Texas preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 16, 2018 ) LA Angels 6, Texas 8

The Texas Rangers sure can swing the bats and look to build off a three-homer performance when they host the Los Angeles Angels on Friday for the second contest of their four-game set. Texas posted an 8-6 victory in the series opener for its 12th win in 19 games and has scored eight or more runs on eight occasions during the stretch.

Joey Gallo, Jurickson Profar and Nomar Mazara homered on Thursday, with the latter's blast coming after he was activated from the 10-day disabled list prior to the game after missing more than a month with a sprained right thumb. Adrian Beltre (hamstring) missed his second straight game and told reporters the plan is to wait a few more days before it is decided whether or not he goes on the DL. The Angels lost for just the third time in 10 games despite scoring at least six runs for the seventh time in that span. Kole Calhoun went 3-for-4 with a homer for his second three-hit effort in four games and is a stellar 14-for-34 with three homers, eight RBIs and 12 runs scored over his last nine games.

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, FS West (Los Angeles), FS Southwest (Texas)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels RH Odrisamer Despaigne (2-0, 5.31 ERA) vs. Rangers RH Drew Hutchison (1-2, 6.07)

Despaigne will be recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake to make his Angels debut after being acquired from Miami on Tuesday. The 31-year-old Cuban, who will become the 14th different starter used by Los Angeles this season, will be limited to 75-80 pitches as only one of his 11 appearances for the Marlins came as a starter. "He's got a good arm," Los Angeles manager Mike Scioscia told reporters. "He definitely has good movement. He has a good cutter, breaking ball, change. Good movement on his fastball. He kind of pitches off of that."

Hutchison is being moved up a day to start as Mike Minor was scratched late Thursday night due to back stiffness. The 27-year-old Hutchison, who turns 28 on Wednesday, is making his third start for Texas after going 0-1 with a 9.72 ERA in the other two, serving up three homers and issuing seven walks in just 8 1/3 innings. Hutchison has lost all three career starts against the Angels while compiling a 6.06 ERA.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Angels had no updates to offer per the status of star CF Mike Trout, who is away from the team after the death of brother-in-law Aaron Cox on Wednesday.

2. Texas optioned OF Willie Calhoun to Triple-A Round Rock to clear a roster spot for Mazara.

3. Los Angeles recalled Ty Buttrey, who pitched a scoreless inning on Thursday, from Triple-A Salt Lake and placed fellow RHP Hansel Robles (shoulder) on the 10-day disabled list.

PREDICTION: Rangers 7, Angels 6