Rangers - Angels

You beat me to it!

Big series for both teams! The Angels NEED a big performance from Saunders tonight!

I am on the train heading to work, but will post a more detailed preview once I get to work!!

Go Angels!!!

Cruz is out. Kinsler is out. Salty is out. Hamilton is playing like garbage. Is there anyone left standing in the Texas offense? Texas barely has enough players to field a lineup. They apparently have a two man bench right now. Two.

Borbon is being recalled and will probably play in the outfield. They're going to send Mathis down.

Sounds like Salty is breaking down. It's Teagarden time! Let's see what he can do.

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Bust?

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Looks like it. He's just not a very good hitter. But it is tough to label someone a bust when they're only 23.

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Angels will take 2-of-3.

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Maybe I am biased, but I think the Rangers take 2 of 3 and keep this interesting for a little while longer.

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But thats a team wide problem.

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God...isn't it? Unbelievable. Something tells me Hamilton is about to get in a groove. I just feel it. He is going to have to put the team on his back.

Murph is solid and consistent. Byrd needs to step up a little bit.

I think they'll get Kinsler back soon. I hope they don't put him back in the leadoff hole.

Saunders has been really struggling of late. I think the Angles have won once in his last seven starts or so.

Here are the probable pitchers for this series. I feel the Angels pitching is lined up nicely for this series. Weavs and Lackey have looked good and if we can get to Feldman early then I think a sweep is possible.

Friday, August 7
TEX Scott Feldman, RHP (10-4, 3.91)
Rangers (60-47) @ LAA Joe Saunders, LHP (9-6, 5.07)
Angels (64-42)

Scouting Report:
Rangers: Feldman allowed two earned runs over seven innings against the Mariners on Sunday. It came on just three days' rest. He earned his 10th victory of the season, which extends a career high. Feldman also posted his 13th quality start. He is 9-1 with a 2.60 ERA in those starts. Since joining the Rangers rotation on April 25, Feldman is 10-4 with a 3.42 ERA. The Rangers are 13-6 in Feldman's starts this season. He is 2-3 over 15 games -- six starts -- with a 5.23 ERA over 43 innings pitched against the Angels in his career. On the road in his career, he is 11-10 with a 5.19 ERA over 164 2/3 innings pitched in 60 games -- 21 starts.

Angels: Saunders wasn't razor-sharp in his last outing, but he kept his team in the game and lasted six innings on Saturday night at the Metrodome. He finished strong after yielding a pair of runs in each of the second and third innings, creating optimism that he has ironed out some command issues. Still, he has given up four or more runs in seven consecutive outings, his ERA soaring from 3.66 on June 24 to 5.07.


Saturday, August 8
TEX Kevin Millwood, RHP (9-7, 3.39)
Rangers (60-47) @ LAA Jered Weaver, RHP (11-3, 3.79)
Angels (64-42)

Scouting Report:
Rangers: Millwood is expected to start on Saturday after having three consecutive starts scratched due a strained left gluteus muscle on July 26. In 14 starts in his career against the Angels, Millwood is 4-5 with a 4.62 ERA over 85 2/3 innings pitched. In nine starts at Angel Stadium in his career, he is 2-4 with a 4.30 ERA over 58 2/3 innings pitched. In his last start against the Angels, Millwood allowed nine earned runs over five innings on nine hits.

Angels: Weaver had his premium stuff working again on Sunday in Minnesota after going through a recent lull that he felt might have been the "dead-arm stage." With a career-high 11 strikeouts across 6 1/3 innings, throwing 114 pitches, Weaver had his crackling slider and live fastball clicking, giving up only four hits and two walks. Two of the hits, by Orlando Cabrera and Justin Morneau, left the Dome. Weaver is 7-1 with a 2.79 ERA at home this season in 12 starts. He's 1-1 with a 5.75 ERA in three outings against the Rangers and 3-2 with a 3.39 ERA in 12 lifetime outings against Texas.


Sunday, August 9
TEX Derek Holland, LHP (4-7, 5.60)
Rangers (60-47) @ LAA John Lackey, RHP (7-4, 3.96)
Angels (64-42)

Scouting Report:
Rangers: Holland allowed four runs over 4 1/3 innings pitched against the Athletics on Tuesday, allowing four walks and striking out four and giving up four hits. He is 2-6 with a 5.64 in 11 starts this season. Holland, in his career against the Angels, is 1-0 with a 9.64 ERA over 4 2/3 in two relief appearances. In one game against the Angels in his career, Holland pitched two innings and gave up no runs, picking up a victory. Over his last three starts, Holland has a 4.15 ERA and a 1-1 record.

Angels: Lackey continued his strong work over the past two months, holding the White Sox to four runs (three earned) across eight innings at U.S. Cellular Field on Tuesday night. He allowed five hits and two walks, but two of the hits, by Gordon Beckham and Carlos Quentin, were for four bases. Lackey, with his 90-93 mph heater and big hook working, struck out seven men. He is firmly re-established as the staff ace after missing the first six weeks with a forearm strain. Lackey is 10-11 in 29 career starts against the Rangers with a 5.96 ERA.

ANGELS PRESS PASS MEDIA NOTES

RANGERS PRESS PASS MEDIA NOTES

Angels are 15-5 since All-Star break.

Since being 29-29 on June 11th the Halos are a MLB-best 35-13 in the 48 game span.

Over the last 23 games, the Halos are batting .371 with RISP and lead the Majors batting .305 with RISP this season.

Good article on the Angels by Tim Kurkjian

LINK

Good article on the Angels-Rangers series by Christina Kahrl, managing editor of Baseball Prospectus

LINK

Nice start.

Feldman