Texas @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( May 15, 2011 ) LA Angels 4, Texas 5

THE STORY: The first- and second-place teams in the AL West meet for a three-game series in Anaheim starting Tuesday. The Texas Rangers are riding an 11-game winning streak, tied for the second-longest streak in franchise history. The Angels stumbled out of the All-Star break by losing three of four in Oakland over the weekend to fall four games behind the Rangers, who have swept three straight series.

TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, FSSW, KCOP

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers RH Alexi Ogando (9-3, 2.92 ERA) vs. Angels RH Tyler Chatwood (5-5, 3.62 ERA).

Ogando pitched briefly in last Tuesday’s All-Star Game, but this will be his first start since going seven innings against Baltimore on July 6. He is 1-0 with a 0.64 ERA in nine career games – one start – against the Angels. Chatwood was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake last week to remain on schedule during the All-Star break, but he was recalled as planned for this start. The Angels are 0-4 in Chatwood’s last four home starts.

ABOUT THE ANGELS (51-45): The Angels entered the All-Star break with a string of eight consecutive series victories, but they struggled against the Athletics. After splitting a doubleheader Saturday in Oakland, the Angels gave up eight runs in the first inning Sunday and lost 9-1. Torii Hunter, who turned 36 on Monday, is batting .239 after going hitless in his first 15 at-bats since the All-Star break. Peter Bourjos will test his injured hamstring Tuesday and could return as soon as Saturday. Taking Bourjos’ spot in center field, Mike Trout is 3-for-24 (.125) in seven starts since being promoted from Triple-A. The 19-year-old rookie will return to the minors when Bourjos returns. Vernon Wells has hit .276 with 10 home runs and 22 RBIs since June 11, while Howie Kendrick has just one hit in 15 at-bats since his career-high 18-game hitting streak was snapped the day before the All-Star break.

ABOUT THE RANGERS (55-41): Texas has nine consecutive victories against AL West teams. Josh Hamilton has driven in 12 runs during the Rangers' 11-game winning streak, while Adrian Beltre has four home runs and 10 RBIs. The Rangers are averaging more than six runs a game during the streak, while the Texas pitching staff has allowed just two runs in its last 47 innings. Closer Neftali Feliz will be available Tuesday thanks to Monday’s off day. Now 20 for 24 in save opportunities, Feliz pitched in three consecutive days over the weekend for only the second time this season. Outfielder Julio Borbon, who was hitting .314 with 16 stolen bases for Triple-A Round Rock, had surgery Monday on his left ankle and will be out for at least six weeks. Infielder Andres Blanco (back) is expected to begin a rehab assignment later this week, and he could rejoin the Rangers within the next 10 days.

FINAL PITCH: The Rangers are 40-42 against the Angels since Ron Washington took over as manager in 2007, including 16-22 in Anaheim.