Texas @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 15, 2011 ) Texas 8, LA Angels 4

THE STORY: It’s too early to call Tuesday’s game a must-win for the Los Angeles Angels, but it’s certainly in that range. In the opener of their four-game series Monday, the visiting Texas Rangers moved five games ahead of the Angels in the American League West with an 8-4 win. The Angels will turn to another rookie starter Tuesday against the Rangers, who have won nine of their last 11 games.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers LH Derek Holland (10-4, 4.30 ERA) at Angels RH Tyler Chatwood (6-8, 4.07 ERA)

Holland gave up three runs -two earned - on seven hits and five walks over six innings while striking out seven against the Mariners last Wednesday. He is 4-0 with a 2.54 ERA in his last seven starts. Holland is 3-3 with a 5.81 ERA in 10 career games – seven starts – against the Angels. Chatwood allowed two runs on eight hits in 5 1/3 innings last Thursday in a no-decision versus the Yankees. The Angels are 0-6 in Chatwood’s last six home starts.

ABOUT THE RANGERS (70-52): If Texas holds on to its lead over the Angels, the Rangers’ bullpen will be a major reason. While the Angels’ bullpen has been shaky all season, general manager Jon Daniels upgraded the Rangers’ bullpen at the trade deadline with the acquisition of Mike Adams and Koji Uehara. In Monday’s series opener, the Angels drew within four runs before Uehara replaced a tiring Alexi Ogando in the seventh inning. Uehara threw a perfect 1 2/3 innings, and Mark Lowe finished with a scoreless ninth inning. Outfielder Nelson Cruz left Monday’s game in the seventh inning with tightness in his left quad muscle, but he doesn’t believe he’ll miss any time. Cruz landed on the disabled list in May because of a strained right quad muscle. It’s a good thing the Rangers’ offense isn’t a major concern, because it looks like Adrian Beltre (hamstring) will be out until September. Beltre did some light running on Monday, but the Rangers are taking it slow so he doesn’t have any additional setbacks.

ABOUT THE ANGELS (65-57): Rookie pitcher Garrett Richards left Monday’s start in the first inning with strained groin, and there’s a good chance he’ll land on the disabled list. Richards replaced the struggling Joel Pineiro in the rotation, and it’s possible the Angels will move Pineiro back if Richards is forced to miss a few starts. Pineiro tossed three scoreless innings Monday. Reliever Hisanori Takahashi could be another option, but he gave up four runs on three hits in one inning Monday. The Angels will likely promote two relievers from Triple-A Salt Lake on Tuesday after Richards’ injury forced the Angels to use four relievers in Monday’s loss. Catcher Jeff Mathis, who was hit on the left hand with a pitch Saturday, returned to action Monday and lined out as a late-inning replacement. Shortstop Erick Aybar entered the series in a 1-for-39 slump, but he had two hits Monday. However, he still hasn't taken a walk since July 28.

FINAL PITCH: The Rangers are 24-8 in their last 32 games against a right-handed starter.