After splitting the first two games of this three-game rivalry series the Rangers and Angels meet for a rubber match Sunday afternoon in Anaheim. Which way are we playing this game for our free MLB pick?
MLB Betting Odds
Sunday’s MLB betting odds opened Los Angeles at around -140 over Texas, with an over/under of nine runs. Early betting action then steamed that line up to -165.
Rangers vs. Angels Set-Up
Texas took the opener of this series Friday night 4-3, but Los Angeles grabbed Saturday’s game 3-2. The Angels led Saturday 1-0 into the top of the ninth inning, let the Rangers score two runs to fall behind but then scored twice themselves in the bottom of the ninth to steal the W.
Saturday’s victory snapped a five-game losing streak for the Angels.
Saturday’s loss snapped a five-game winning streak for Texas.
At 25-24 overall Texas sits in third place in the AL West, eight games back of division-leading Houston, with Los Angeles, at 23-28, 11 games out of first.
The Rangers lead the season series with the Angels five games to four.
Sunday’s Starting Arms
Lefty Heaney is making his first start with the Big Club this year, after going on the DL with a sore elbow back in March. He then made good on a rehab start down at Triple-A Salt Lake City on Monday, allowing two hits with 10 strikeouts over 4 1/3 innings.
Last year Heaney finished 17/30 on quality starts in the Bigs; Los Angeles finished 15-15 with him.
In three starts last year against Texas Heaney gave up 12 runs and 24 hits through 18 1/3 innings. The Angels went 2-1 in those games.
Jurado is 0/1 on quality starts this year, to go along with nine appearances in relief. Wednesday he threw a scoreless inning of relief against Seattle, and last Saturday – in his first start – he gave up four runs – two earned – through 4 1/3 innings of an 8-2 loss to St. Louis.
On the season Jurado has allowed just four ER through 17 1/3 innings of work.
In his only career start against the Angels, last August, Jurado got nicked for six runs and nine hits through six innings, although the Rangers won that game 8-6.
Sunday’s Batting Splits
Texas is batting only .223/.306/.408 against left-handed pitching this season.
Los Angeles is batting .272/.345/.453 against right-handed pitching this season, which ranks this lineup among the top seven in MLB in that split.
The Bullpens
The Rangers bullpen owns a 4.74 and a 1.48 WHIP, although we attribute some of that to the home ballpark this unit pitches in half the time.
The Angels bullpen owns a 4.28 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP.
Totals Report
- Overs are 26-22 in Rangers games this season.
- Unders are 28-20 in Angels games this season.
- Unders are 14-13 in games played at Angel Stadium this season.
- Unders are 7-2 in Rangers-Angels games this season.
- Get more details: Rangers at Angels MLB Match-up Stats
