The Texas Rangers took another huge step towards winning the AL West on Monday night as Texas defeated the second place Angels 8-4 in Los Angeles.  The Rangers took the early lead in the first, however the Angels quickly countered and tied things back up 1-1.  The Rangers weren't done by a long shot however, as Texas responded with one run in the third inning, and a whopping five runs in the fifth to take an 8-1 lead.  The Angels got one run back later in the fifth inning making the score 8-2 after five, and Los Angeles did mount a comeback scoring two more off of a Branyan HR in the seventh, howver it was too little too late as the Rangers held on for the victory, and moved one more game ahead of the Angels in the standings. 

The Los Angeles Angels are sending pitcher Tyler Chatwood to the mound on Tuesday against the Texas Rangers.  Chatwood has only one career start against Texas, and in that start Chatwood lasted just five innings against the powerful Texas lineup giving up three runs on seven hits resulting in a loss.  In Chatwood’s last three outings he has really struggled owning a record of 0-2 and an incredibly high ERA of 6.89 and a WHIP score of 4.48.  The Los Angeles Angels need a win on Tuesday in order to keep pace with the Rangers, and with Texas having one of the more powerful lineups in all of baseball, Chatwood will definitely need a strong performance.

The Texas Rangers are sending pitcher Derek Holland to the mound on Tuesday in hopes of getting a win against the Rangers’ division rival the Los Angeles Angels.  Holland has seven starts in his career against the Angels, and in those seven starts he has a record of 3-3 with an ERA of 5.81 and  WHIP score of 1.42.  In Holland’s last outing against the Angels, the Texas starter lasted just 5.1 innings giving up seven runs on nine hits resulting in a no decision. 

The Texas Rangers are hitting right handed starters very well this season as Texas has a winning record against righties of 50-34, and while the Angels do have a winning record as well against lefties, the margin is a lot closer with the Angels having a record of 21-19 against left handed starters this season..

The total on Tuesday’s game against the Rangers and Angels is set at 8.5, and I think they are being too conservative here.  There should be plenty of runs scored on Tuesday as both Chatwood for the Angels and Holland for the Rangers have been hit hard by the opposing team.  I like the Rangers to get the win, but the strongest play looks to be on the over.