Series Preview: Angels @ Rangers (Welcome back Shoey!)

Angels 66-71
Rangers 60-77

At least we aren’t the Rangers, right? I mean, 17 games under .500 must really suck. Five games under is bad enough. This year, the Angels hold a 6-4 record against those dudes for Arlington - though they’ve dropped 3 of the last 4.

If you are sad this might be the last time the Angels face the Rangers this year - have no fear! These two teams will square off two more times (for 6 more games) all at the Big A before the season ends. Nine more total games against the Rangers should perhaps get the Angels a few more games closer to .500

Know your foe:

Rangers - who’s hot (last 7 days):

Jurickson Profar .591 OBP, 1 home run
Ronald Guzman .400 AVG, 1 home run. 5 walks

Weather Forecast

GAME 1

Matt Shoemaker(R) (4.76 ERA) v. Jeffrey Springs(L) (2.55 ERA)
Monday, September 3rd @ 5:05PM

Pitcher vs. Batters

Notable Stats

Summary:

Matt Shoemaker is back after a long recovery this year. He threw just one game - way back on March 31st against the Oakland A’s. Last year wasn’t all that kind to Shoemaker either so he hasn’t faced the Rangers since 2016.

Pitch Arsenal:

Jeffrey Springs will be making the first start of his career. When was the last time the Angels beat up on a first time starter? Springs has thrown 17.2 inning this year in his debut season with a 2.55 ERA and 1.415 WHIP - the later due to him walking a batter about every other inning. He earned a hold against the Angels in August but gave up 2 runs over 1 inning of work.

Pitch Arsenal:

Verdict: This is tough. Shoemaker hasn’t pitched in the big leagues since the start of the season. Still, something feels right about this one.

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GAME 2

Andrew Heaney(L) (4.09 ERA) v. Mike Minor(L) (4.33 ERA)
Tuesday, September 4th @ 5:05PM

Pitcher vs. Batters

Notable Stats

Summary:

Andrew Heaney has only seen the Rangers once this year and it didn’t go well. Over 5.1 inning he gave up 10 hits and 6 earned runs. Heaney is coming off a strong start against Houston in which he held them scoreless over 6 innings.

Pitch Arsenal:

Mike Minor hasn’t faced the Angels yet in 2018. Over his last 6 appearances he has a 2.81 ERA including just 2 runs allowed over his last 2 innings. Minor is prone to giving up home runs from time to time.

Pitch Arsenal:

Verdict: I expect Heaney to pitch better against the Rangers this time around. He’s not a guy that regularly gets beat up by the same team over and over, but Minor has been sharp. Could be another duel.

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GAME 3

Jaime Barria(R) (3.46 ERA) v. TBD
Wednesday, September 5th @ 5:05PM

Pitcher vs. Batters

Summary:

Twenty-two year old Jaime Barria already faced the Rangers 3 times this year and he’s baffled them. Over those 16 innings he’s allowed only 2 runs with 14 Ks and 12 hits allowed.

The Rangers have yet to announce a starter for the series finale.

Pitch Arsenal:

Verdict: May depend on who the Rangers put on the mound but Barria may still have the edge here.

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Overall Verdict: A sweep would be amazing but let’s start smaller with just a series win.

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