Texas @ Los Angeles preview
Angel Stadium of Anaheim
Last Meeting ( Sep 7, 2013 ) Texas 3, LA Angels 8
The reeling Texas Rangers try to avoid a sweep when they visit the Los Angeles Angels for the finale of their three-game set Sunday. Texas came up a run short in the series opener before dropping an 8-3 decision on Saturday and clinching its third straight series loss. The Rangers have lost five of their last six contests and have fallen 1 1/2 games behind the first-place Oakland Athletics in the American League West.
Rookie Grant Green matched a season high with three RBIs and Mark Trumbo belted his second homer of the series as the Angels posted their second straight win over Texas following a seven-game losing streak. Los Angeles is 4-10 in the season series and 5-11 in its last 16 home contests. Despite the troubles in their own ballpark, the Angels (67-74) have won 12 of their last 15 overall to climb within seven games of the .500 mark.
TV: 3:35 p.m. ET, FSN Southwest (Texas)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers RH Nick Tepesch (4-6, 4.67 ERA) vs. Angels LH Jason Vargas (8-6, 3.80)
Tepesch is making his first start since July 5. The 24-year-old rookie returned from a stint on the disabled list caused by elbow inflammation to toss 3 1/3 scoreless innings of relief at Oakland on Monday. Tepesch, who has yet to face the Angels in his career, has surrendered at least four runs in five of his last six starts.
Vargas was battered by Tampa Bay on Tuesday, yielding five runs and 10 hits in just four innings of a loss. The 30-year-old has given up three runs or fewer in five of his last seven starts but is only 3-3 in that span. Vargas is 4-6 with a 4.44 ERA in 17 career games - 15 starts - against the Rangers.
WALK-OFFS
1. Trumbo leads the Angels with 31 home runs and is one shy of tying his career high set last season.
2. Rangers LHP Matt Harrison will undergo right shoulder surgery Monday. It will be the third operation of the season for Harrison, who had procedures performed on his back in April and May.
3. Los Angeles OF Peter Bourjos is likely to have season-ending wrist surgery early next week.
PREDICTION: Angels 5, Rangers 3