Texas @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 16, 2011 ) Texas 7, LA Angels 3

THE STORY: If the Los Angeles Angels are going to make a run at the American League West-leading Texas Rangers, Wednesday would be a good day to start. The Rangers opened up a season-high six-game lead over the Angels after dominating the first two games of the four-game series at Angel Stadium. The Rangers have won 19 of their last 23 games in their division, while the Angels have lost six of their last seven overall.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers LH C.J. Wilson (11-5, 3.28 ERA) at Angels RH Ervin Santana (9-8, 3.10 ERA)

Wilson snapped a string of four straight winless starts last Friday at Oakland when he gave up one run while striking out seven over six innings. He is 1-1 with a 1.35 ERA in three starts against the Angels this season. Santana, who allowed one run on seven hits against the Blue Jays last Friday, has not allowed more than three earned runs in his last 11 consecutive starts dating back to June 10. He is 0-1 with an 8.18 ERA in two starts against Texas this season.

ABOUT THE RANGERS (71-52): After a brief scare, outfielder Nelson Cruz started Tuesday and went 1-for-4. Cruz left Monday’s game in the seventh inning with tightness in his left quad, but he said the team was just being cautious. Mike Napoli started at catcher Tuesday, but he’ll get the next two games off as manager Ron Washington starts Yorvit Torrealba. The Rangers are 27-10 with Napoli starting at catcher, including eight straight wins. Outfielder Josh Hamilton exited Tuesday’s game in the eighth inning with back spasms, but not before he went 3-for-5 with his 15th home run. Washington said Hamilton should be fine for Wednesday’s game. As good as the Rangers’ offense has been, it’s easy to overlook their improved bullpen, which has allowed just one run in its last 25 1/3 innings spanning the last nine games. Washington used closer Neftali Feliz in a non-save situation Tuesday, but he was able to finish the game on just three pitches. Feliz has worked 4 1/3 hitless innings over his last five games.

ABOUT THE ANGELS (65-58): Rookie Garrett Richards was placed on the disabled list Tuesday with a right groin strain, forcing the Angels to make a series of roster moves. After Richards lasted just five batters Monday, the Angels’ bullpen worked 8 1/3 innings in the loss. The Angels brought in relievers Trevor Bell and Horacio Ramirez from Triple-A Salt Lake on Tuesday, and both appeared in relief after starter Tyler Chatwood lasted just two innings. In other moves, infielder Andrew Romine was optioned to Salt Lake and Joel Pineiro was moved back into the starting rotation. Pineiro, who was in a tailspin before losing his spot in the rotation to Richards, returns after throwing three shutout innings on Monday. Richards figures to be out several weeks.

FINAL PITCH: The Angels are 11-3 in Santana’s last 14 home starts against a team with a winning record.