MLB Baseball
2011-07-19 - Texas Rangers at LA Angels
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
United States: MLB Baseball
Tuesday 19 July 2011 - First Pitch 10:05pm ET
3:05am (British Standard Time)
Preview
It seemed there might be a real race on between these two teams for the American League West this season, but recent form has seen the Texas Rangers (55-41) open up a 4 game lead over the LA Angels (51-45) as they begin a 3 game series in Anaheim.
It is still too early to say it is a must win series for the Angels, but even they will admit they do not want to fall too far behind the streaking Rangers. This is the first of 13 games they have yet to play against one another so they will have chances to close the gap rapidly if they can win the majority of those games.
Texas come into this game with all the confidence in the world, a confidence that has been built up with their 11 game winning run that they are currently enjoying. This is the 2nd season in succession that the team have had an 11 game winning streak, but they can be the first Rangers team to surpass that total since 1991 with a win tonight.
They have an extremely talented batting line up and that has been helped by a strong pitching staff. Alexi Ogando goes to the mound for the Rangers tonight as he looks to improve his 9-3 record this season and maintain his 2.92 ERA.
Ogando beat the Angels on May 13 when restricting them to 1 run in just under 7 innings pitched. That is his only career start against LA.
The Angels had been in fine form up until the weekend when they dropped 3 of 4 games to the Oakland Athletics. Before that series, LA were 14-3 and really beginning to make an impact in the AL West.
The team scored just 11 runs in their 4 games against Oakland and may not get much more joy in this series as they face a Texas pitching staff that has allowed just 2 runs in the last 47 innings pitched.
LA will have to hope Tyler Chatwood can keep up with Ogando in a pitching duel. The rookie is 5-5 this season with a 3.62 ERA and will be called back up from the Minor Leagues with the hope he can at least get some control back into his pitching.
Chatwood struggled a little in his start for the Triple A Salt Lake Bees last week when he gave up 2 runs and 5 walks in 3 innings pitched. He is averaging 4.7 walks every 9 innings in the Major League, 2nd most in the MLB.
Head to Head
The season series is tied 3-3 as both teams won 1 of the 2 series played in Texas.
The Angels are 18-13 in Game 1's this season, going 10-5 when coming in off a loss.
Texas are 20-11 in Game 1's and they go 10-5 after winning their previous game.
Prediction
I think the Texas Rangers are rightly considered as the favourites to win this game as they seem to have an edge in key departments tonight.
Their starting pitcher is definitely the more consistent of the two on the mound, while the whole pitching staff have been suffocating opponents at the plate and giving up very little.
On top of that, the batting line up is in fine form at the moment while the LA Angels have cooled off a little, especially in the last series with Oakland.
All in all, I would not be surprised to see Texas recording their longest winning run in 20 years.
The Pick :
LA Angels 1-4 Texas Rangers
BEST BETTING TIP :
I'll back the Texas Rangers @ 1.75 (Bet365)
