Game: Los Angeles Angels @ Texas Rangers
Time: 8:05 p.m.
Odds: Angels +130, Rangers -141
Total: 8.5
It’s the showdown. The Texas Rangers and Los Angeles Angels will play the final game of a four-game series tonight in Arlington, Texas. Each team will throw out its ace as the Rangers try and get a series split. Right-hander Shohei Ohtani (5-2, 3.32) of the Angels will pitch for the Angels while right-hander Nathan Eovaldi (9-2, 2.49 ERA) takes the hill for the Rangers.
Texas’ 6-3 victory on Wednesday ended a three-game losing streak. The Angels had only lost twice in their previous ten games. It was Rangers’ second win in their last seven games.
Eovaldi is one of the early favorites for the American League Cy Young Award. As of Thursday, he ranked second among eligible AL pitchers in wins (nine) and innings pitched (86.2), fifth in WHIP (0.98), and sixth in ERA (2.49). In his last 10 starts, Eovaldi is 8-0 with a 1.65 ERA, winning his most recent contest against Tampa Bay on Saturday. He pitched 6.1 innings against the Rays, giving up four runs on seven hits and six strikeouts.
The 10-start run also includes a strong outing by Eovaldi on May 6 against the Angels. He pitched eight scoreless innings and recorded five strikeouts in the Rangers’ 10-1 victory. Eovaldi has a 4-2 record and a 3.86 ERA in 12 games against the Angels in his career. That includes 10 starts.
Last night, the Rangers’ offense found its stride. Texas hit three home runs, including consecutive ones in the seventh inning by Marcus Semien and Corey Seager to take the lead. In the third, Leody Taveras hit a solo home run.
The Texas bullpen has been called on quite frequently lately and Rangers manager Bruce Bochy praised the offense’s performance. He was also high on the Texas bullpen. Right-hander Grant Anderson threw 2.1 scoreless innings on Wednesday.
Ohtani would like to translate his success at the plate to the mound for the Angels. In the series, he has hit three home runs, including a two-run shot on Wednesday. He will pitch against the Rangers for the first time this year. Ohtani has made seven career starts against Texas, going 3-2 with a 4.06 ERA. Globe Life Field has hosted two of those three victories. Ohtani made his last start against Seattle on Friday. He pitched five innings, allowing three runs on three hits. He did walk five batters but struck out six while earning a no-decision.
As mentioned, the Angels are now 8-2 SU in their last ten games. They are 6-3 SU in their last nine against Texas. Texas is 2-5 SU in its last seven but has won nine of its last 12 at home. The Angels and Rangers have two of the higher Over percentages in baseball. Texas is tied for second (42-25 O/U) at 62.7 percent. Five of their last six games have gone Over. Four of the last six Angels games have gone Over as have 12 of their last 15 on the road at Texas.
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