The Texas Rangers (76-84) are preparing to face off against the Los Angeles Angels (63-97) in a late-season matchup at Angel Stadium. This preview is being crafted ahead of Saturday’s game. Veteran right-hander Nathan Eovaldi will take the mound for the Rangers, while rookie righty Jack Kochanowicz will pitch for the Angels.
Rangers in Need of Rebuilding Strategy
The Texas Rangers have struggled significantly this season, failing to qualify for the postseason after their World Series title. Offensively, they have been underwhelming, posting a .238/.305/.379 slash line and averaging 4.15 runs per game. They rank 19th in the league with 173 home runs this year. Notably, third baseman Josh Smith has stood out, boasting a .260/.340/.395 line with 13 home runs, 60 RBIs, and 11 stolen bases. The Rangers must develop a solid plan to return to competitiveness in the 2025 season.
Nathan Eovaldi will be starting for the Rangers in this matchup. In 28 appearances this season, he holds an 11-8 record with a 3.96 ERA and a 1.12 WHIP, having pitched 163.2 innings. He has maintained a .232 batting average against him this season. Eovaldi’s last outing was a no-decision against the Oakland Athletics, where he pitched seven innings, allowing four runs (three earned) on four hits, along with three walks and seven strikeouts.
Angels Assessing Their Roster for Future Seasons
The Los Angeles Angels are looking forward to closing out a challenging 2024 season, during which they set a franchise record for losses. Their offense has been lackluster, ranking 27th in the league with a .673 team OPS and an average of 3.94 runs scored per game. They have also struggled to draw walks, currently sitting in 18th place with 478 total walks. Shortstop Zack Neto has shown promise, achieving a .761 OPS with 23 home runs, 77 RBIs, and 30 stolen bases. The Angels are at a crossroads, needing to evaluate their future direction.
Rookie right-hander Jack Kochanowicz will take the mound for the Angels. He has made 10 starts this season, with a record of 2-5, a 4.01 ERA, and a 1.22 WHIP across 58.1 innings. While his command has been inconsistent, leading to seven hit-by-pitches and nine walks, he has also recorded 24 strikeouts. In his last appearance against the Chicago White Sox, he did not earn a decision, pitching seven shutout innings and allowing just three hits.
Strategic Picks for Rangers vs. Angels
In September, the performance of the two starting pitchers has been notably different. Eovaldi holds a record of 1-1 with a 6.08 ERA and a 1.48 WHIP in 23.2 innings over four starts. In contrast, Kochanowicz is 0-2 with a 2.81 ERA and a 0.97 WHIP across 25.2 innings in the same timeframe. The bullpens are also reflecting distinct performances this season: the Rangers rank 26th with a 4.45 reliever ERA, while the Angels sit 14th with a 3.87 bullpen ERA. For this matchup, the recommendation is to back the Los Angeles Angels as a home underdog.
