Saturday night baseball is heating up in Texas as the Los Angeles Angels (58-82, 5th AL West) face off against the Texas Rangers (68-73, 3rd AL West) at Globe Life Field. This matchup marks the third game in a four-game series, with the Rangers claiming victory in the first game, winning 3-1 on Thursday night. The second game was played on Friday, and as of this article’s publication, those results are pending. Currently, the Rangers lead the season series 4-3. The Angels will send Tyler Anderson (3.55 ERA) to the mound, while the Rangers will have Jack Leiter (11.78 ERA) starting. Fans can tune in for the action at 7:05 EST, broadcast regionally on FOX.
Angels Struggle in Series Opener
The Angels faced a challenging start in the series opener, as Adolis Garcia’s home run in the first inning set the tone for the game. They struggled offensively, managing only two hits against Cody Bradford through the first six innings. After the game, Angels manager Ron Washington praised Bradford for his poise and ability to mix pitches effectively, commenting, “He has presence out there. He changes speeds very well.” The Angels’ lone run came from a fielder’s choice groundout by Nolan Schanuel in the third inning.
Los Angeles finds itself in a precarious situation. Although they are not yet mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, the odds are stacked against them. Currently, they sit 17.5 games behind the final Wild Card spot and could soon join the ranks of teams like the White Sox, Marlins, and Rockies, who have already been eliminated from postseason play. Schanuel, a promising 22-year-old first baseman, recorded the team’s only RBI on Thursday; he has hit 12 home runs and driven in 44 runs this season, maintaining a .243 batting average. Taylor Ward leads the Angels with 21 home runs and 64 RBIs, while shortstop Zach Neto boasts the best batting average on the team at .258, contributing 20 homers and 67 RBIs.
In this matchup, Tyler Anderson will make his 28th start of the season. He has emerged as the Angels’ most consistent pitcher, holding a 3.55 ERA with a record of 10-12. His last five starts reflect a team record of 3-2. Anderson has struck out 125 batters while issuing 65 walks, allowing 21 home runs throughout the season. In his previous outing against the Mariners, he pitched four innings, surrendering four runs, yet the Angels managed to secure a win.
Rangers Looking to Build Momentum
Despite being eight games out of the final Wild Card spot, the Rangers seem to be finding their rhythm, winning five of their last six games. Texas has recently completed successful series against teams like the White Sox, Athletics, and Yankees. Their opening win against the Angels was bolstered by Cody Bradford’s strong pitching and Garcia’s impactful three-run homer.
Bradford capitalized on the early lead provided by Garcia, allowing him to pitch aggressively. He noted in a post-game interview, “To be honest, today didn’t feel like a great rhythm. Thank goodness for Adolis’ big swing in the first. You get an early lead, you can go right after guys.” Garcia has had a productive season, hitting 22 home runs and driving in 72 runs, while batting .222. Corey Seager, the team’s standout shortstop, leads the Rangers with 30 homers and 74 RBIs, boasting a .278 batting average. Rookie Wyatt Langford is also making a name for himself, recently hitting a walk-off grand slam against the Yankees and accumulating eight hits over his last five games.
Jack Leiter is set to start for the Rangers, although he has faced challenges this season. His ERA stands at a concerning 11.78, with four of his five outings resulting in four or more runs allowed. Leiter’s most difficult performance came against the Guardians, where he lasted just 1.2 innings and was charged with six runs. In his latest appearance, he surrendered five runs over five innings in a loss to the Yankees.
Best Bets for Los Angeles Angels vs. Texas Rangers
The Texas Rangers have shown signs of improvement, especially after their recent series win against the Yankees. However, betting on Jack Leiter might not be a wise choice given his struggles this season. At just 24 years old, Leiter has yet to find his footing on the mound, with an alarming ERA of 11.78 over five starts. He has consistently given up runs, making it difficult for the Rangers to rely on him. In their recent win against the Yankees, Leiter was the starting pitcher during their only loss.
On the other hand, Tyler Anderson has been a reliable force for the Angels. He faced the Rangers earlier this season, allowing only one run over seven innings, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure. Although the Angels sit fifth in their division, they are likely to be slight favorites in this matchup. Given Anderson’s track record, placing a bet on the Angels may be the safer option.
