Texas @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 20, 2012 ) Texas 1, LA Angels 6

The Los Angeles Angels expect to make a run at catching Texas in the American League West - and their homefield dominance of the Rangers is a big reason for their increased confidence. The Angels look for their 11th straight victory over Texas at Angel Stadium on Saturday after opening the three-game set with a 6-1 victory. Los Angeles is five games behind Texas but will still face the Rangers 10 more times after this series concludes.

Angels rookie Mike Trout homered in the opener and has scored a run in 12 consecutive games. Only two AL rookies have ever had a better streak – Jake Powell of the 1935 Washington Senators and Don Lenhardt of the 1950 St. Louis Browns. Trout, who leads the AL with a .354 average, can also match the Angels’ franchise record, set by Jim Edmonds, who scored in 13 straight games in 1995. Texas third baseman Adrian Beltre has four homers in 49 career at-bats against Los Angeles starter Ervin Santana.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, FOX

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers RH Yu Darvish (10-6, 3.96 ERA) vs. Angels RH Ervin Santana (4-9, 5.60)

Darvish has lost back-to-back starts after winning three consecutive outings. He was torched by the Seattle Mariners in his last start, allowing a season-worst seven runs and eight hits in 6 1/3 innings. Darvish has fanned 10 or more batters five times. He is 1-1 with a 3.86 ERA in two starts against the Angels this season.

Santana hasn’t won since June 16 and is 0-2 with a 7.52 ERA over his last four starts. He took a no-decision against the Detroit Tigers in his last outing when he gave up four runs (two earned) and eight hits in six innings. Santana hasn’t faced Texas this season and is 12-9 with a 5.53 ERA in 24 career starts against the Rangers.

WALK-OFFS

1. Texas 2B Ian Kinsler (.383 in 47 at-bats), SS Elvis Andrus (.355 in 31 at-bats) and 1B Michael Young (.351 and three homers in 74 at-bats) have all fared well against Santana.

2. Trout is 3-for-6 with a homer against Darvish, and is batting .400 in 14 career games against Texas.

3. The Rangers expect to activate C Yorvit Torrealba on Saturday. He has been away due to his wife giving birth to their daughter on Tuesday.