Sunday, September 21, 2014

Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Sunday afternoon, the Texas Rangers will take the field behind Nick Tepesch (5 - 10, 4.47 ERA) as they square off against the Los Angeles Angels and Cory Rasmus (3 – 1, 2.57 ERA).  Tepesch makes his 21st start and 22nd appearance as Rasmus makes his 5th start and 29th appearance.

Nick Tepesch ended his recent slide by getting the victory in his last outing.   In 6 innings of work, Tepesch allowed 3 runs on 5 hits (including a home run) while walking 2 and striking out 1.  The win was the 1st for Tepesch since early August.  He had lost 3 of his last 4 starts and is just 2 – 5 in his last 10 outings.  Last season, Tepesch went 4 – 6 with a 4.84 ERA in 17 starts and 2 relief appearances.

During his rookie season in 2013, Tepesch pitched to a no-decision in his only start against the Angels.  This season, he is 0 – 2 in 3 appearances against Los Angeles. 

Cory Rasmus will come in from the bullpen to make the spot start in this one.  In his last appearance, he pitched 4 innings and allowed a hit while striking out 4.  Most of his recent appearances have been of the 2 to 3 inning variety and it will be interesting to see how far he goes in his 5th start of the season.   He has just one decision to his credit in his last 10 appearances and that was a win back in late August.  In 2013, he was 1 – 0 with a 5.40 ERA in 19 appearances for the Angels and the Atlanta Braves.

Last season, Rasmus was 0 – 0 with a 6.75 ERA in 4 appearances against the Rangers. This season, he is without a decision in 3 appearances against Texas.             

Texas Rangers Betting Trends

Texas Rangers are 68-75-10 against the Over/Under

Run Differential for Texas Rangers is -0.9

Los Angeles Angels Betting Trends

Los Angeles Angels are 76-73-5 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Los Angeles Angels is 1

Injuries to Watch

Texas Rangers

09/19/14 P Scott Baker Tricep out indefinitely
09/17/14 RF Michael Choice Hamstring out for season
09/05/14 RF Alex Rios Thumb out indefinitely
08/29/14 LF James Adduci Concussion 15-day DL (9/12)
08/26/14 LF Shin-Soo Choo Elbow 60-day DL (8/26), out for season
08/13/14 P Yu Darvish Elbow 60-day DL (8/10); out for season
06/11/14 P Tanner Scheppers Elbow 60-day DL (6/11)
06/10/14 1B Mitch Moreland Ankle 15-day DL (6/8)
06/04/14 P Alexi Ogando Elbow 60-day DL (6/3)
06/04/14 P Matt Harrison Back 60-day DL (5/14), out for season
05/22/14 1B Prince Fielder Neck 60-day DL (5/17)
05/21/14 P Martin Perez Elbow 60-day DL (5/11)
04/25/14 3B Kevin Kouzmanoff Back 60-day DL (4/23); out for season
04/23/14 P Pedro Figueroa Elbow 60-day DL (4/23)
03/31/14 2B Jurickson Profar Shoulder 60-day DL (3/23)
03/28/14 RF Engel Beltre Leg 60-day DL (3/26)

Los Angeles Angels

09/20/14 LF Josh Hamilton Chest is downgraded to doubtful Saturday vs. Texas Rangers
09/16/14 P Matt Shoemaker Ribs not expected to make next scheduled start
08/22/14 P Garrett Richards Knee 60-day DL (8/21), out for season
08/01/14 P Tyler Skaggs Forearm 60-day DL (7/31), out for season
05/28/14 P Sean Burnett Elbow 15-day DL (5/29), out for season
05/12/14 3B Ian Stewart Hand 15-day DL (5/11)
04/17/14 P Ryan Brasier Elbow 60-day DL (3/21)
03/30/14 P Brian Moran Elbow 60-day DL (3/21)

Tony's Pick: Take Los Angeles

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