Los Angeles Angels vs. Texas Rangers Series Preview (6/1-6/3)

Although I’m sure fans were a little disappointed the team couldn’t extend it’s winning streak to 9-games and sweep the Yankees, taking 2 out of 3 from the Bronx Bombers is still pretty impressive considering the Halos couldn’t take 2 out of 3 from the San Diego Padres roughly 2 weeks ago. Even during the loss to the Yanks’ on Wednesday, the team still should passion and even made a charge in the later innings of the game.

The Angels miraculously won game 1 of the series despite losing staff ace Jered Weaver to injury in the 1st inning and spotting the Yankees an early 3 run lead. The bullpen stepped up and kept the team in the game and the offense, led by Mike Trout and Mark Trumbo carried the team to a 9-8 win.

The Angels breezed through game 2 of the series thanks to terrific pitching from Dan Haren. Haren went 7.0 strong innings giving up only 1 ER while striking out 7 and walking none. Albert Pujols and Mark Trumbo continued pummeling the ball as each went deep.

As mentioned above, the Halos dropped game 3 of the series as Ervin Santana had his second consecutive poor outing. It would have been a great opportunity to pick up another game on the Rangers who got demolished by the Mariners but you cant win em’ all as the saying goes.

Angels/Rangers Preview:
To call this a HUGE series for the Angels or to label this a “must win” series is a bit of an exaggeration at this point in the season but it is a fairly significant series. The Angels beat up on the A’s and Mariners and showed their recent hot streak was no fluke by taking 2 out of 3 from Yanks’. This is a “statement” series for the Halos in my opinion, especially since they lost the first series with Texas. If the Angels can take 2 out of 3 from Texas and close the weekend only 4.5 games out of first, I will be very pleased.

The Angels will face Colby Lewis and Yu Darvish in games 1 and 2, both of whom are coming off uninspiring pitching performances. As a matter of fact, as I state below under the pitching match-ups, Darvish has given up a combined 7 ER and 11 hits in his last 2 outings while walking 9 batters. If the Angels can show patience at the plate and come through with timely hits like they have the last week and a half then I really like their chances.

6/1 – Jerome Williams (5-2, 3.81 ERA) vs. Colby Lewis (4-3, 3.58 ERA)
Match-up Notes – Lewis has a career record of 4-3 against the Angels with a 4.48 ERA. Lewis is coming off of a no-decision against the Toronto Blue Jays where he gave up 4 ER off of 10 hits and lasted only 5.1 innings. Believe it or not but Jerome Williams is perfect at the “Big A”; he is 7-0 with a 2.29 ERA.  Williams is coming off of a 5-2 win over the Seattle Mariners where he went 6.0 IP giving up 3 ER off of 5 hits while walking 2 and striking out 5.

6/2 – C.J. Wilson (6-4, 2.77 ERA) vs. Yu Darvish (7-2, 3.25 ERA)
Match-up Notes – Darvish won his one and only outing against the Angels on May 11th. Darvish gave up 3 hits and walked 3 while giving up 3 ER. In his last 2 outings Darvish is 1-1 and has given up 7 ER off of 11 hits while walking 9 batters. Wilson on the other hand is a different story…Wilson is 2-0 during his last 2 outings. Wilson threw a combined 14.0 IP giving up only 3 hits and 1 ER while walking 4 batters.

6/3 – Garrett Richards (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. Matt Harrison (6-3, 4.41 ERA)
Match-up Notes – Harrison has a career 2-3 record with a 4.62 ERA against the Angels. Harrison has pitched very well his during his last two starts, allowing only 3 ER over 15.0 IP while striking out 5 and walking none. Richards is making his 2012 debut. His record at AAA Salt Lake is 5-2 with a 4.31 ERA.

6/1 – AM Clouds / PM Sun with a high of 81 degrees
6/2 – Sunny with a high of 76 degrees
6/3 – Sunny with a high of 74 degrees

6/1 – 7:05 p.m. / FSW / Big Bang Fireworks!
6/2 – 7:05 p.m. / FSW & MLBN / Angels Cowboy Hat
6/3 – 12:35 p.m. / FSW / Family Sunday

Fielding
FPCT: .985 / 8th
E: 29 / 7th