Series Preview: Angels Return To Texas For Three Games With Rangers

The Los Angeles Angels travel to take on the Texas Rangers in a three-game set at Globe Life Field in Arlington.

Both teams have little to play for this season other than showcasing young talent and using this last stretch as a landing strip into next year for veterans and other players working to try new things. With a record of 64-83, the Angels remain in 3rd place in the American League West and the Rangers are in fourth at 63-83.

The Angels last hosted the Rangers in late July and lost 3-of-4 games at Angel Stadium. For the season, the Angels are 5-8 with six games remaining against the Rangers.

Game 1: Tuesday, Sept. 20, 5:05 p.m. PT

The Angels open the series with 25-year-old, Patrick Sandoval, who comes into the game with a 5-9 record, a 2.99 ERA, and a 1.35 WHIP across 132.1 innings pitched.

In his prior seven games, Sandoval has had the best stretch of his career, posting an ERA of 1.69 over 42.2 innings, including a complete game shutout over the Detroit Tigers on August 19. He’s quietly been a terrific second option for Angels manager, Phil Nevin, behind Shohei Ohtani in a starting rotation that has dealt with numerous injuries and moves due to trades.

The Rangers counter with Cole Ragans, who is a 24-year-old lefty coming off of a seven-run appearance on Sept. 13 against the Oakland Athletics. The former first-round pick has only made six starts this season and is largely considered to be a buffer for his future.

Game 2: Wednesday, Sept. 21, 5:05 p.m. PT

Tucker Davidson gets the ball in the middle game of the series in what is his 10th start of the year. Pitching to the tune of a 6.96 ERA in 2022, Davidson has largely struggled with the Angels since being included in the trade that sent Raisel Iglesias to the Braves as a salary dump ‘throw-in’ piece.

In his prior 8.1 innings pitched, Davidson has allowed 11 runs on 12 hits, both starts came against the Houston Astros, who just clinched another slot in the postseason.

The Rangers send Dane Dunning to the mound for his third start against the Angels this season. In three starts, the Angels have knocked Dunning around for a 4.50 ERA and 11 earned runs over 22 innings.

On the season, Dunning is 3-8 with a 4.49 ERA in 28 starts.

Game 3: Thursday, Sept. 22, 11:25 a.m. PT

The final game of the set with feature the ‘premiere’ pitching matchup, with Michael Lorenzen, starting for the Angels and Martín Pérez for the Rangers.

Lorenzen is 7-6 with a 4.74 ERA and a WHIP is 1.33 this season, and after being held up by injury, the 30-year-old has been decent in his return to the big club. Across his last 10.2 innings pitched, he’s allowed four runs on seven hits, striking out eight.

The Rangers have leaned on Pérez to be their ace, and he’s responded, with a 12-6 record and a 2.84 ERA in 177.1 innings. In his previous three outings against the Tampa Bay Rays, Toronto Blue Jays, and Astros, he is 2-1 and only allowed five runs across 18.1 innings.