Game Preview: Texas Rangers

Los Angeles Angels: 0-2, fifth in the AL West

Texas Rangers: 1-2, tied for third in the AL West

Advanced Stats: For the Angels, Mike Trout and Albert Pujols are a combined 0-15 batting thus far this season. The Angels have scored only one run this season and given up 15 runs in an ugly 0-2 series versus the surging Chicago Cubs. Of those 15 runs, eight were given up by the bullpen. The Rangers have had more success in their at-bats than the Angels, scoring 10 runs, and giving up 20 runs. Of the 20 runs scored for the Rangers, 14 were given up by the bullpen.

Starting Pitchers: The Angels are starting Hector Santiago, who last season made his first all-star appearance after producing six wins and four losses with an ERA of 2.33. Following the all-star game, Santiago’s ERA slid to 5.47 over his last 15 starts. Santiago has had great success against the Rangers with a record of six wins and two losses. Santiago has posted a 3.36 ERA in 72 1-3 career innings against the Rangers. For the Rangers Derek Holland will make his 21st start against the division rival Angels. Holland has eight wins and six losses with a 5.46 ERA in 20 starts against the Angels. Holland has more starts and innings pitched against Los Angeles than any other team.

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Notable Injuries: The Angels placed Andrew Heaney on the 15-day DL for a flexor muscle strain yesterday. The likelyhood of Tommy John surgery is minimal at this point; however, this will add a strain of its own to an already inconsistent bullpen. C.J. Wilson will remain on the DL for the Halos along with Tyler Skaggs until late May. The Rangers have Japanese pitching sensation Yu Darvish on the 15-day disabled list. He has resumed baseball activities and could be sidelined up until early June after having off-season Tommy John surgery. Also, former Angel Josh Hamilton is on the 15-day disabled list and is expected to return during the middle of May after having surgery to repair a knee injury.

Next: Walk-off Wonders

The Build Up/Keys: It has been a rather disappointing start to the 2016 season for the Angels. After being shut-out on national television, the Angels look to rebound and re-group against the Texas Rangers. The Rangers are out to prove that winning the AL West division title in 2015 wasn’t a fluke. This series is going to be determined by the bullpen, whichever team’s bullpen provides the most relief by keeping batters and runners off the bases is going catapult their team to victory. Hopefully, the Angels batters can turn a corner and get some hits to add on to their one run season total 2 games into the regular season.