Los Angeles Angels (74-82) vs. Texas Rangers (57-99)
September 28, 2021 8:05 pm EDT
The Line: Texas Rangers -105 / Los Angeles Angels -125; Over/Under: -8.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Los Angeles Angels and the Texas Rangers meet Tuesday in MLB action from Globe Life Field. The Angels are coming off a weekend series versus the Mariners. Los Angeles managed a win Saturday but lost the other two games in that set. As for the Rangers, they’re coming off a series versus the Orioles. Texas lost two of four over the weekend. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Los Angeles beat the Mariners 14-1 on Saturday but otherwise lost 6-5 Friday and 5-1 in the Sunday game. In the finale loss, Angels pitcher Shohei Ohtani put up 7.0 innings with one earned on five hits alongside 10 strikeouts.
For the starter gig in the Tuesday game, the Angels will send out Packy Naughton. Over 20.2 innings this year Naughton has 23 hits, 14 runs (12 earned), three homers, 11 walks, 12 Ks and a 5.23 ERA.
Over on the Rangers’ side, they lost to the Orioles 3-0 Thursday and 3-2 Saturday but otherwise got wins 8-5 Friday and 7-4 Sunday in the weekend series. Texas pitcher Dane Dunning put up 4.2 innings in the finale with two earned on one hit and five walks.
Starter for the Tuesday game will be Texas’ AJ Alexy. In four games (three starts) this year Alexy has a 2-1 record with a 5.00 ERA and 15 Ks in 18.0 innings.
The Angels are 5-2 in their last seven after an off day and 2-5 in their last seven after a loss. LA is 2-8 in their last 10 overall and 2-9 in their last 11 versus the AL West.
Meanwhile, the Rangers are 4-1 in their last five Tuesday games and 22-46 in their last 68 overall. Texas is also 18-39 in their last 57 versus the AL West.
PICK: I’m going to stick with the Angels but probably staying away. Alexy has given up 10 earned runs on eight hits and 10 walks in 7.0 innings over his last two starts. As for Naughton, he’s been sketchy as well with eight earned on 10 hits, three homers and four walks in his last 6.2 frames. If neither pitcher is on, this one could turn into a shootout very quickly. Overall I think the Angels probably have a better shot at a W, though.
