Series Preview: Los Angeles Angels

For the second week in a row the Rangers will play the Angels in hopes of getting back to .500 and catching them in the wild card spot.

Last series, Texas took three of four from them, however the Angels made some moves in preparation for this series with the additions of Brandon Phillips and Justin Upton.

The Rangers will also be without future first ballot hall of famer Adrian Beltre because his hamstring is a hater.

And really who cares about the post season if it means sacrificing Adrain Beltre? If Beltre’s significantly injured just cancel everything.

But in the hopes that the Rangers can sweep or at the very least take two of three, here’s what to expect.

GAME ONE

Hamels will get the start tonight against Skaggs in a rematch from the first game last week. The Rangers won that game 5-3 after Skaggs gave up five runs (four earned) on four hits through 5.1.

Hamels went seven innings in that game, giving up just two runs on three hits.

However, in Hamels went just 4.1 in his last start against Oakland... a series we’d all like to forget. He gave up six runs on nine hits.

Skaggs got the no decision in his last start against the Astros, he went five innings and gave up five runs on six hits and two walks. Only four of the runs were earned.

GAME TWO

Saturday’s game will feature Ricky Nolasco and A.J. Griffin. Nolasco is 2-1 in his last seven starts with a 4.97 ERA. His last two starts have been no decisions. His start against Houston was a no decision where he went six innings giving up four runs on six hits and two walks.

Griffin is 2-5 for his last seven starts with a 7.76 ERA. His last two starts have been losses and in Oakland he went just 3.1 inning giving up three runs on five hits and three walks.

GAME THREE

In the last game against the Angels in Arlington for the season, Martin Perez will face Andrew Heaney.

Heaney got his first win of the season in his last start against Oakland. He went six innings giving up one run on two hits and three walks and he struck out 10.

Perez is looking to improve his five start win streak to six. He’s gone at least six innings in each of those five starts. In his last two starts, he’s gone seven innings in each giving up just two runs and two walks in 14 innings. Both the walks and the runs came in his last start against Houston.

P.S. Chirinos comes into the series with a 13-game hitting streak