Hot-hitting Robbie Grossman will be looking to extend his 13-game hitting streak as the Texas Rangers (18-13) face off against the Los Angeles Angels (19-14) at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Saturday.
The Angels took Friday’s series opener 5-4 in 10 innings, their fifth straight victory overall and fourth in a row head-to-head. Reliever Carlos Estevez threw one scoreless inning to get the win.
Mike Trout went 2 for 4 with one RBI in the win. Chad Wallach added a double, one run, and two RBIs. Marcus Semien was 2 for 4 with a double, one run, and one RBI for the Rangers.
ON THE MOUND
Nathan Eovaldi (3-2, 3.93 ERA) is in line to start for Texas. The RHP had a complete game shutout in his last start in a 2-0 road victory over the Yankees on April 29. He gave up only three hits, striking out eight en route to the win.
Eovaldi is making his first appearance against the Angels this season. Eovaldi made one start against the Angels in 2022, a 1-0 road victory for the Red Sox on June 8. He allowed six hits over five scoreless innings, striking out five.
For Los Angeles, LHP Reid Detmers (0-2, 4.85 ERA) will toe the rubber. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Rangers. Detmers made five appearances against the Rangers in 2022, all starts, striking out 33 and walking eight over 26 innings (1-1, 5.19).
In his last start on April 29, Detmers took the loss on the road against the Brewers. He threw 4.1 innings and gave up seven runs (4 ER) on four hits, striking out six and walking three in the 7-5 defeat.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Texas has averaged 6.8 runs a game, a small gain compared to their season average of 6.3. Against southpaws like Detmers this season, the Rangers have a .749 OPS. Josh Jung is the team’s strongest performer against left-handers with a 1.307 OPS in 28 at-bats.
Los Angeles is averaging 6.0 runs per game in the last five, up slightly from 5.3 for the season. The Halos have a .739 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a 1.036 OPS over 86 at-bats, Trout has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Texas is on a four-game losing streak in road games, bringing their record to 6-7 in 2023. The Rangers have scored 5.8 runs per game away from home, while allowing 4.2 runs. Los Angeles has won four in a row in front of their home fans.
The Halos are 9-5 at home this season, averaging 6.1 runs per game while surrendering 5.1. In the last 10 games at Angel Stadium of Anaheim between the AL West rivals, Los Angeles is 6-4 despite an average scoreline favoring Texas (4.1-4.0).
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Rangers lead the AL West by zero games over the Angels.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Houston Astros (-115)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
