The Texas Rangers and Los Angeles Angels begin a critical three-game series in the American League West division Tuesday night at Angel Stadium

Texas Rangers at Los Angeles Angels

Texas has enjoyed quite a ride out of the All-Star break and will be coming in with an 11-game win streak.  The Rangers are now a season-high 14 games above .500 and know a lot’s at stake in this series against the Angels.  “It’ll be fun,” said Rangers designated hitter Michael Young.  “Big games are always fun.”  It’s important to note that the club will need a sweep to match a club record 14 consecutive wins that was recorded in 1991.  Offense has been the name of the game in leading the majors with a 12-2 record this month, pacing the league in average, runs and extra-base hits.  Texas is 17-9 versus division opponents this year and 39-27 versus right-handed starters.

Rangers starting pitcher Alexi Ogando is 9-3 with a 2.92 ERA in 17 starts this season and will be looking for a third consecutive win.  He has allowed five runs and nine hits over 13 2/3 innings in home victories over the Marlins and Orioles in his last two outings.  The right-hander is an even 2-2 with a 3.51 ERA in seven road starts, as opponents are hitting just .211 against him.  In nine previous appearances (one start) versus the Angels, Ogando is 1-0 with a 0.64 ERA, giving up just nine hits in 14 frames.  He earned a 4-1 home win on May 13 versus Los Angeles, allowing just a single run and five hits over 6 1/3 innings.

Los Angeles won 14 of its 17 games heading into the Midsummer Classic, but wasn’t able to carry the momentum over in dropping three of four versus the Athletics.  The Angels have still tallied a 21-10 mark over their last 31 games and the dugout heads into this series with confidence.  “When you look at our last 35 games or so we’ve been playing good baseball,” commented Angels manager Mike Scioscia.  This upcoming series should be packed with pressure moments, as 30 of the last 42 meetings have been decided by three runs or less.  Los Angeles is 67-52 against Texas since the start of the 2005 season.

Angels starting pitcher Tyler Chatwood is 5-5 with a 3.62 ERA in 17 starts this season and will be looking for his first win of July.  The rookie is 0-1 with a 3.48 ERA in two starts this month, as opponents are hitting .390 against him.  He has struggled at times inside Angel Stadium, entering with a 2-4 mark and 3.84 ERA, issuing 34 walks and registering just 32 strikeouts.  Chatwood will be facing the Rangers for the first time in his career.

Bettors will likely take a shot on the Angels due to their 9-1 mark following a loss, while the Rangers are 2-5 in their last seven games at tonight’s venue