Free MLB Picks Today: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim vs Texas Rangers 9/30/22

The Los Angeles Angels (70-86), one of the weakest offenses in the American League, are set to host the Texas Rangers (66-89) at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Friday for the first of a three-game series. The Rangers are in the midst of a six-game road trip. They won only one out of three in their last series against the Mariners, dropping the finale 10-9 on Thursday at T-Mobile Park. Marcus Semien was 2 for 5 with two home runs and four RBIs. Sam Huff added a solo home run. The Angels are in the midst of a six-game homestand. They are coming off a three-game sweep of the Athletics, taking the finale 4-2 on Thursday at Angel Stadium of Anaheim for their fourth straight win. Taylor Ward’s on-base streak hit 14 as he went 3 for 3 with a solo home run.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The Rangers have won 10 of 16 in the season series between the AL West rivals, including a 5-3 victory in their most recent meeting on September 22 at Globe Life Field. Matt Moore threw one scoreless inning in relief to get the win, and Jose Leclerc struck out the side in the ninth to earn his seventh save.

ON THE MOUND

Glenn Otto (6-9, 4.73 ERA) is slated to take the mound for Texas. The righty allowed one run over 5.2 innings in his last start, a 4-2 road defeat against the Guardians on Saturday. He scattered three hits while striking out three and walking one in the no-decision. Over two previous starts against the Angels this season, Otto has allowed five earned runs over 10 innings (1-0, 4.50). He has struck out 12 and walked five. For Los Angeles, left-hander Reid Detmers (6-6, 3.88 ERA) will toe the rubber. He has made four appearances against the Rangers this season, all starts, giving up 15 runs (14 ER) over 20 innings (0-1, 6.30) with 24 strikeouts and seven walks. In his last start on Saturday, Detmers took the loss on the road against the Twins. He threw four innings and gave up five runs (4 ER) on eight hits, striking out two, in the 8-4 defeat.

AT THE PLATE

The Texas offense is averaging 4.4 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .241/.303/.397. Nathaniel Lowe leads the team in OPS at .853. The first baseman is slashing .305/.359/.494 with 26 home runs, 74 RBIs, and 71 runs over 150 games. Against left-handed pitchers like Detmers this season, the Rangers have a .755 OPS. Lowe also is the team’s best hitter against left-handers with a .945 OPS in 180 at-bats. Los Angeles is slashing .231/.295/.388 for the season and averaging 3.9 runs per game, the third lowest in the American League. Shohei Ohtani leads the team with a .887 OPS. He has 34 home runs, 94 RBIs, and 88 runs scored with a slash line of .273/.357/.530. Los Angeles is averaging 5.2 runs per game in the last five with a higher slash line (.309/.349/.478). The Halos have a .691 OPS against righties in 2022. With a .925 OPS over 369 at-bats, Ohtani also has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Texas is 34-44 in road games in 2022, scoring 4.6 runs per game while allowing 4.3 runs. Los Angeles has won three in a row at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. The Halos are 37-41 at home this season, averaging 4.0 runs per game while surrendering 4.3. In the last 10 games at Angel Stadium of Anaheim between the teams, Texas is 6-4 with an average scoreline of 4.5-3.0.