In the thrilling conclusion of a 3-game series, the Texas Rangers (19-13) go head-to-head with the Los Angeles Angels (19-15) this Sunday. Angel Stadium is set to host the first pitch at 4:07 p.m. ET. The season series is currently tied at 1-1, with Texas losing 5-4 in Friday’s opening game but regaining momentum with a decisive 10-1 victory on Saturday. Texas, the NL West leaders, have been on an offensive streak, scoring an average of 8.40 runs per game in their last five outings and holding a 3-2 record during that span. Meanwhile, Los Angeles suffered its first loss in five games on Saturday, leaving them trailing Texas by just one game.
The Angels could point to one glaring issue for their struggles in this series — an excessive 11 walks. Despite their recent hot streak, the team will need to keep their focus and minimize such lapses if they hope to finish the series strong. As the battle for dominance continues, fans are eagerly looking forward to the final matchup between these two formidable teams.
Let’s take a closer look at the projected starting pitchers for this exciting series finale: Texas Rangers’ LHP Martin Perez will face off against Los Angeles Angels’ LHP Jose Suarez. Perez (4-1, 2.41 ERA) is gearing up for his seventh start of the season. In 33 2/3 innings of work, he has recorded a 1.40 WHIP, 2.4 BB/9, and 7.0 K/9.
Perez has enjoyed some success against the Angels in recent years, posting a 2.54 ERA across his last five starts against the team. With a career 4.38 ERA from 259 games under his belt, Perez boasts a 3.11 ERA and 1.24 WHIP on the road since 2021.
On the other side, Suarez (1-1, 7.89 ERA) is slated for his sixth start of the season. In 21 2/3 innings pitched, he has managed a 1.98 WHIP, 5.0 BB/9, and 7.5 K/9. His recent performances against Texas are promising, with a 3.30 ERA in his last five attempts.
Suarez has had mixed results at home, owning a 4.91 ERA across his last 110 innings in Angel Stadium. His last home start, on April 24 against Oakland, saw him giving up five home runs.
For those looking to place wagers, the moneyline for this matchup is set at Rangers +106 (with a $100 bet earning $104) and Angels -124 (requiring a $122 bet to win $100). The Run Line/Against the Spread displays Rangers +1.5 (-182) and Angels -1.5 (+150), while the Over/Under sits at 9.5 (O: -110 | U: -110).
Our prediction for this final game in the series is a narrow Angels victory, with a predicted final score of 5-4. Although Perez has demonstrated a strong ability to strand base runners (at an impressive 87% rate), Angels’ batters have posted a high-contact .821 OPS against the Texas pitcher.
The Angels have shown considerable strength in their recent performances, with a 7-2 record in their last nine games at home. They’ve also managed to clinch four straight series finales. Both starting pitchers will have the benefit of six days’ rest, a factor that should play to Suarez’s advantage and potentially hinder Perez.
Given these statistics, it appears that the Angels’ bullpen may hold a slight edge in this matchup. For this reason, we recommend placing a solid wager in favor of the ANGELS (-124) on the moneyline.
As for the Run Line/Against the Spread, this game could go either way with the Angels involved in eight games decided by two runs or fewer since April 26. For this reason, we advise avoiding the run line and sticking to the moneyline for this game.
Looking at the Over/Under, it’s worth noting that both offenses have benefited from high batting averages on balls in play in clutch situations. Texas has logged a .373 BABIP in high-leverage situations, while the Angels recorded a .384 BABIP in similar scenarios.
Despite these high averages, both teams have faced relatively weak pitching schedules, which could apply some downward pressure on their respective offenses. However, it’s important to note that both teams have shown strength against left-handed pitching, and their versatile lineups boast several right-handed batters and switch hitters.
Considering all factors, including the potential for strong winds at Angel Stadium, there isn’t sufficient reason to bet on the under for this game’s total. Given the uncertainty in various aspects of this matchup, we recommend passing on the Over/Under wager.
In summary, fans and bettors alike can anticipate a close and exhilarating finale between the Texas Rangers and the Los Angeles Angels. With the Angels slightly favored to triumph, we predict a tightly contested game as these powerful teams battle for supremacy in the series.