The Texas Rangers will play host to the Los Angeles Angels at Globe Life Park. The first pitch is scheduled for 8:05 p.m. ET and Fox Sports Southwest will televise the action.
Los Angeles Angels vs. Texas Rangers Odds
The Rangers are 61-61 against the spread (ATS)despite being only 54-69 straight up (SU). The team’s lost 1.4 units for moneyline bettors and 3.3 units (ATS). The Angels have gone 62-61 SU this year and are 57-65 ATS. In total, the team’s lost 5.9 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 14.7 units ATS.
Rangers games have a 57-56-9 over/under record in 2018. Los Angeles has been a decent under bet with a total record of 53-60-9.
The right-handed Odrisamer Despaigne is the projected starter for the visiting Angels. Despaigne (2-0, 5.31 ERA) has racked up 18 strikeouts in 20.1 innings so far. He has yet to face the Rangers this year and did not record a start against them in 2017, either.
The Rangers will put the ball in the right hand of Drew Hutchison (1-2, 6.07 ERA, 1.75 WHIP), who has 21 punchouts and 20 walks this season. Hutchison did not pitch in the majors last season.
As a unit, Texas’ pitchers have given up 5.3 runs per game overall in 2018. Its starters have a 5.42 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 6.3 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 4.09 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 8.1 K/9. In 51 games against AL West opponents, Rangers starters have an ERA of 5.02 and the bullpen’s ERA is 4.67.
The Texas hitters are putting up 4.8 runs per contest, including 4.3 per game against divisional foes and 4.4 per game over their last five. The team has hit .230/.330/.385 over its last five matchups and is 2-3 SU during that span.
The Rangers’ batters have been led by Shin-soo Choo, who is slashing .279/.393/.476 with 20 home runs, 57 RBIs and 69 runs scored.
For the visiting squad, Los Angeles’ pitchers have allowed 4.3 runs per game and its starters own a 4.19 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 8.80 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 3.69, along with a K-per-9 of 8.79.
The Angels offense has slashed .248/.321/.422 on its way to 4.6 runs scored per game in 2018, including 5.2 runs per game against divisional foes and 5.8 per game over the team’s last five outings (3-2 SU).
Andrelton Simmons has sparked Los Angeles’ hitters and is hitting .301/.352/.422 with seven home runs, 54 RBIs and 56 runs scored.
The Rangers are looking for another victory after an 8-6 win in the prior game of the series.
Los Angeles Angels vs. Texas Rangers Free Prediction
,Predictions: SU Winner – Rangers, ATS Winner – Angels, O/U – OVER
