Texas (24-36) at LA Angels (31-27)
When: Saturday, June 2nd 2018
Where: Angel Stadium, Anaheim, CA
Time: 9:05 ET | TV: FS Southwest, FS West
Opening Odds: Los Angeles -180/8
The Los Angeles Angels still have a losing record at home, but could be breaking that losing trend with two straight victories at Angel Stadium including Friday’s 6-0 triumph over the Texas Rangers in the opener of their three-game set. Five pitchers combined on the shutout and all nine batters recorded at least one hit as the Angels improved to 13-17 at home and left the Rangers reeling in the AL West basement. Ian Kinsler continued his torrid streak by blasting a two-run homer and Albert Pujols also went deep for the Angels, who returned home from a 4-6 road trip to open a six-game homestand. Kinsler is riding a five-game hitting streak during which he has gone 10-for-19 with three doubles, two homers and five RBIs. Texas is coming off a four-game split in Seattle to start their seven-game road trip, scoring a total of two runs in the losses and 16 in the victories. Adrian Beltre sat out Friday after going 2-for-4 on Wednesday in his return from a stint on the disabled list due to a strained left hamstring but figures to be in the lineup Saturday. Angels second baseman Zack Cozart (forearm) missed his third consecutive game Friday and is scheduled to undergo an MRI exam. Opening Day starters Cole Hamels and Garrett Richards will take the mound on Saturday.
Pitchers: Rangers – Cole Hamels (3-5, 3.74 ERA) | Angels – Garrett Richards (4-4, 3.67)
Hamels’ streak of solid outings ended last time out when he allowed five runs on eight hits and three walks in 6.1 innings of a loss to Kansas City on Sunday. Hamels gave up a total of five runs over his previous four outings, and recorded a season-low two strikeouts in the loss. He has pitched well against the Angels in his career, going 4-2 with one complete game and a 2.82 ERA in 10 starts.
Richards is in the middle of a three-game losing streak after he surrendered three runs on three hits and five walks in 2.1 innings against the Yankees in New York. Richards has posted a 2.51 ERA during his slide and a 2.39 mark over his last five starts overall. He is 9-4 with a 3.11 ERA in 18 starts and four relief appearances against Texas in his career.
The Rangers with Hamels on the mound have good value as a big underdog in this matchup. The Rangers have won three of the last four meetings with Los Angeles when Hamels starts, while the Angels have dropped three of five against Texas when Richards starts. Texas plays their best in Game 2 of a series this season, posting a 12-6 mark.
Pick: Rangers +145
BETTING TRENDS:
- Rangers are 5-0 in their last 5 during game 2 of a series.
- Rangers are 1-4 in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a losing home record.
- Rangers are 18-7 in Hamels’ last 25 starts during game 2 of a series.
- Rangers are 2-5 in Hamels’ last 7 starts vs. American League West.
- Rangers are 3-9 in Hamels’ last 12 starts on grass.
- Rangers are 2-7 in Hamels’ last 9 starts vs. a team with a winning record.
- Rangers are 2-7 in Hamels’ last 9 starts.
- Rangers are 2-7 in Hamels’ last 9 road starts vs. a team with a winning record.
- Rangers are 1-4 in Hamels’ last 5 starts following a team loss in their previous game.
- Angels are 13-5 in their last 18 vs. American League West.
- Angels are 23-11 in their last 34 during game 2 of a series.
- Angels are 3-7 in their last 10 vs. a team with a losing record.
- Angels are 1-4 in their last 5 home games vs. a left-handed starter.
- Angels are 1-4 in their last 5 overall.
- Angels are 1-4 in their last 5 Saturday games.
- Angels are 1-4 in their last 5 games on grass.
- Angels are 1-5 in their last 6 home games vs. a team with a losing record.
- Angels are 1-5 in their last 6 home games.
- Angels are 0-4 in their last 4 games vs. a left-handed starter.
- Angels are 4-1 in Richards’ last 5 starts vs. a team with a losing record.
- Angels are 17-5 in Richards’ last 22 home starts vs. a team with a losing record.
- Angels are 15-7 in Richards’ last 22 starts during game 2 of a series.
- Angels are 2-5 in Richards’ last 7 starts vs. American League West.
- Over is 4-0 in Rangers last 4 during game 2 of a series.
- Under is 4-1 in Rangers last 5 road games vs. a team with a losing home record.
- Under is 4-1-1 in Rangers last 6 games vs. a starter with a WHIP greater than 1.30.
- Under is 8-3 in Rangers last 11 vs. American League West.
- Over is 5-2 in Rangers last 7 vs. a team with a winning record.
- Under is 9-4 in Rangers last 13 road games.
- Under is 6-1-1 in Hamels’ last 8 road starts.
- Under is 12-3-1 in Hamels’ last 16 starts vs. American League West.
- Under is 4-1 in Hamels’ last 5 road starts vs. a team with a winning record.
- Under is 11-5-1 in Hamels’ last 17 starts overall.
- Over is 7-2-1 in Angels last 10 Saturday games.
- Over is 6-2-1 in Angels last 9 home games vs. a team with a losing record.
- Over is 21-7-2 in Angels last 30 during game 2 of a series.
- Over is 5-2-1 in Angels last 8 home games vs. a left-handed starter.
- Over is 5-2 in Angels last 7 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
- Under is 5-2-2 in Angels last 9 home games.
- Under is 7-3-2 in Angels last 12 overall.
- Over is 5-1 in Richards’ last 6 starts during game 2 of a series.
- Under is 4-1 in Richards’ last 5 starts overall.
- Over is 12-4 in Richards’ last 16 starts vs. a team with a losing record.
- Over is 10-4 in Richards’ last 14 starts with 5 days of rest.
- Under is 5-2 in Richards’ last 7 starts vs. American League West.
- Under is 4-0 in Richards’ last 4 home starts vs. Rangers.
- Angels are 9-3 in Richards’ last 12 starts vs. Rangers.
- Angels are 5-2 in Richards’ last 7 home starts vs. Rangers.
- Rangers are 1-5 in the last 6 meetings.
