Rangers vs Angels MLB Betting + Handicapping Picks
With the Texas Rangers and the Los Angeles Angels both in the hunt for a postseason bid, this weekend’s three-game series sets the table for a big showdown at the Big A , beginning with Halos pitching ace Jared Weaver aiming to improve to 8-0 at home against the Rangers on Friday night.
TEX: Derek Holland (6-4, 4.57 ERA) v LAA: Jared Weaver (11-1, 2.26 ERA)
Date/Time: Friday, July 20, 2012, 10:05 PM ET
Venue: Angles Stadium in Anaheim California
Broadcast: KXTA (Texas), FOX Sports West (Los Angeles)
Line: OFF
Over/Under: OFF
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers LH Derek Holland (6-4, 4.57 ERA) vs. Angels RH Jered Weaver (11-1, 2.26)
Although, the Rangers lead the West by six games over the Angels, Los Angles are still atop of the wild-card race, and return home after capping a 3-4 road trip with Thursday’s 5-1 loss to Detroit.
Weaver’s only loss this season came on the road to the Rangers back in May, and it figures to be a different story in Anaheim, where he’s never lost to Texas.
The 29-year old right-hander is 6-0 with a 1.63 ERA in eight starts versus the Rangers in Anaheim.
Nevertheless, Weaver will need to get back on track after a sub-par performance on Sunday, which saw him gave up five runs with a season-high three homers over seven innings. He was however lucky to escape with his fifth straight win in as many starts, as the Angels eked out a 10-8 win behind a late inning offensive surge.
Rookie of the Year candidate Mike Trout is 10 for 24 with seven RBIs for Los Angeles, while slugger Albert Pujols (3 for 19), Erick Aybar (2 for 16), Alberto Callaspo (3 for 20) and Torii Hunter (1 for 17) have all struggled. [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
And it’s not likely to get any easier as the Rangers challenge Weaver with Derek Holland, who will make his first 2012 start against the Angels.
The 25-year old lefty is 4-3 with a 4.76 ERA in nine starts versus them, and will arrive in Anaheim fresh off last Friday’s 3-2 win at Seattle with 7 2-3 scoreless innings performance, improving to 4-1 with a 2.58 ERA in six road starts.
The Rangers have played twice in the previous four days, splitting a series in Oakland on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Part of the reason behind the Rangers mini slump, is Josh Hamilton who is 4-for-31 with 10 strikeouts and two home runs for his only extra-base hits in that span.
He still leads the majors with 78 RBIs to go with his 28 homers, but will need to get hot if the Rangers want to hold off the Angels down the stretch.
The teams have split six meetings with 13 remaining.
Matt’s Free Prediction: Angles– Los Angeles has won dominated past series, and I expect Weaver to improve to 12-1 after this one.
