Texas Rangers vs Los Angeles Angels Free Moneyline Pick, 4–11–2017
Texas Rangers vs Los Angeles Angels
FREE Moneyline Play by Richard Hartline of Precision Picks
Texas Rangers (2–4) vs. Los Angeles Angels (5–2)
First Pitch: 10:07pm EST | The Line: Angels -115, O/U 8
Listed Starting Pitchers | Cole Hamels (0–0) vs Tyler Skaggs (0–1)
An AL West Division matchup kicks off tonight in LA as the Angels host the Rangers. Texas has not gotten off to the start you would expect for the defending AL West Champions, alternating wins for the last 4 games. Los Angeles has enjoyed a successful start to the 2017 season and as long as they stay healthy, they should contend with Texas for the AL West.
Texas needs to develop some consistency and tonight they hand the ball to one of their aces, looking for a win. Cole Hamels got the ND in his first outing, going 6.0 IP allowing 3 ER on 4 hits as the Rangers went on to lose to the Cleveland Indians. Texas was swept by the defending AL Champion Cleveland Indians but went on to win 2 of 3 vs Oakland.
The Rangers, despite their pitching struggles, have done commendably well while batting. They have accrued a total of 33 runs, which puts them tied for sixth in the MLB. They are also in the top 10 in slugging percentage (.436, ninth in the league).
Rangers are 16–3 in Hamels’ last 19 starts vs. AL West
The Los Angeles Angels will look to build on their solid (5–2) start to the season following their 3-game sweep of the Seattle Mariners. Tyler Skaggs gets the call for the Angels and is 0–1 with an 8.44 ERA and 5 strikeouts this season. In his career, Skaggs is 2–1 with a 5.49 ERA and 22 strikeouts in 4 career starts against Texas.
Albert Pujols is closing in on 600 home runs after hitting his 592nd on Sunday vs the Mariners. This Angels offense should be very good if they stay healthy. Last season they Angels pitching was too depleted to even contend but they hope this season they can write a different story.
Angles are 10–1 their last 11 home games
I don’t see Cole Hamels starting the season (0–2). In 2016, Hamels pitched much better on the road and went (10–3) away with a lower ERA (2.40) compared to home (4.40) and more strikeouts (106) to (94). I’m siding with Cole Hamels and the Rangers at a good price.
