Weaver, Momentum Big Boosts for Angels at Rangers

Frank Doyle previews a mouth-watering series between the contenders for the American League West pennant, the Rangers and the Angels.

The west is where it’s at in the Major Leagues as the playoffs hove into view. In the National League, the surprising snakes of Arizona are challenging the injury stricken World Champions, while the American League sees the defending pennant holders Texas being challenged by the perennial contenders from the Orange County of Southern California.

Texas has lead the AL West all year. The Angels lead the Rangers, briefly, back in May but since then the Rangers have been more consistent while the Angels have been streaky.

Until now. Last weekend the Rangers had won three of four in Anaheim and were cruising. This week they’re 2-4 after a trip to the White Sox and a visit from Boston, which isn’t really the form line they’d like to see as the Angels get ready for a trip to Arlington. Not least as the Angels are on a six game winning streak since stopping the sweep at Anaheim and are enjoying the tremendous confidence boost of Jered Weaver’s rejection of big money in free agency this week to stay with the Angels.

It’s a measure of just how much momentum is swinging the Angels’ way that manager Mike Scioscia is thinking of using his top three pitchers for the series against the Rangers, even though two of them – Ervin Santana and Jered Weaver – will be coming off three days’ rest.

As for the Rangers, owner Nolan Ryan – a man who knows a thing or two about pitching himself – thinks the Rangers staff looks tired. Maybe Ryan is trying to fool the Angels into a false sense of security but if he is, Scioscia seems to have taken the bait – although he may have second thoughts, as no pitchers have been announced by the Angels for the weekend just yet.

What we do know is that the Angels’ Dan Haren, 13-6, 2.98 ERA, pitches against the Rangers’ Derek Holland, 11-5, 4.42 ERA tonight. The veteran Haren has proved his worth since he arrived in Anaheim last July, while the Holland can be very good or really awful.

Home advantage sees Texas a slight MLB betting favorite tonight, -115 against the Angels’ -105 on the morning line, but there could be a lot of action on Haren from steam chasers if the line begins to move. Scioscia may decide on whether or not he’ll risk Santana and Weaver on how this game goes – a decision that could decide which team goes to the playoffs and which teams watches on TV. That’s a lot to play for deep in the heart of Texas this weekend.