Angels vs Rangers Prediction - MLB Picks 8/15/23

Texas Rangers (70-48) vs Los Angeles Angels (59-60)

Game Info: Tuesday, August 15, 2023 at 8:05 pm (Globe Life Field)

Jordan Montgomery (7-10) (3.38) vs Lucas Giolito (7-8) (4.37)

Betting Odds: Texas Rangers -160 / Los Angeles Angels +147 --- Over/Under: 9 Click Here for the Latest Odds

The Texas Rangers and the Los Angeles Angels will meet in Arlington for game two of their divisional series. Texas put it on LAA last night in shutout fashion, 12-0.

Angels Preview & Projected Starter

Los Angeles moved to 59-61 after losing to Texas. The Angels looked lifeless in Arlington last night, surrendering runs in five of nine innings, and they’ll look to fight back in here in game two. The LAA offense is scoring 4.16 runs per game, while batting .257, with a .333 on-base percentage. The pitching staff carries a 4.43 ERA, with a 1.36 WHIP.

Lucas Giolito (7-8, 4.37 ERA, 145 Ks) will get the call for Chicago. The eighth-year righty finale got things going in Anaheim by taking care of San Francisco last time out, striking out seven thru six innings en route to his seventh win. It was nice to see Giolito finally put it together after coming over from Chicago, but he’ll face another uphill battle here in Arlington. Giolito was roughed up in Atlanta in his previous road spot (3.2 IP, 9 ER, L), and he’ll attempt to show more life here against Texas.

Angels Player Trends & Props

• Shohei Ohtani homered in the series finale win over Houston, and he’s first in the AL in home runs (41), while leading LAA in hits (133) and RBI (84), while batting .303.

• Brandon Drury has collected a hit in four of the previous six games, and he’s posting splits of .271/15/49.

• Mike Moustakas snapped a three-game hitless streak, and he’s posting a line of .268/11/47.

• Hunter Renfroe has doubled in three of the last six games, he’s hit seventeen home runs and batted in 51 runs.

Los Angeles Angels Team Facts

• The Angels have lost each of their last seven night games against American League opponents.

• The Angels have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last four night games against American League opponents.

• The 'Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs' market has hit in each of the Angels' last nine road games against AL West opponents.

Rangers Preview & Projected Starter

Texas moved to 71-48 after defeating Los Angeles. The Rangers didn’t play any games with their division foes on Monday evening, and they’ll now look to create more space atop the AL West. The Texas offense is scoring 4.88 runs per game, while batting .272, with a .341 on-base percentage. The pitching staff carries a 3.77 ERA, with a 1.20 WHIP.

Jordan Montgomery (7-10, 3.38 ERA, 119 Ks) will get the ball for Texas. The seventh-year lefty did his job last week in Oakland, holding the A’s to two runs thru six innings pitched, but they’d surprisingly drop the contest in low-scoring fashion. Montgomery’s season has featured over a handful of final outcomes like that, but it’s a good sign to see him deliver another solid outing with the Rangers. Eight of Montgomery’s last ten appearances have resulted in quality starts, and he’ll look to deliver again here against the Angels.

Rangers Player Trends & Props

• Corey Seager has totaled multiple bases in six of the last eight games, and he leads Texas in batting (.346), with twenty home runs and 68 RBI.

• Marcus Semien went off and powered the game one win by producing five runs, and he leads the team in hits (139) and runs (95), with strong splits of .283/19/77.

• Adolis Garcia homered in game one with over LAA, and he leads the Rangers in home runs (30) and RBI (91).

• Nathaniel Lowe has recorded a hit in six of the previous nine games, and he’s posting a nice line of .278/14/63.

Texas Rangers Team Facts

• The Rangers have won each of their last eight games at Globe Life Field.

• The Rangers have covered the run line in each of their last seven home games against American League opponents.

• The Rangers have led after 5 innings in each of their last eight games at Globe Life Field.

Corey’s Free Pick

Things escalated quickly in Arlington last night, and while Tuesday may be a bit more contested with Shohei Ohtani in the lineup, I like trusting the hosts again here. The Rangers have taken a three-game lead in the division, and there’s a good chance they hold on to it for the rest of the season, meaning each home game from here on out will hold even more value. The Angels aren’t down and out, but it’s hard to get behind them right now, especially after being bullied last night. Back Texas to take game two of this divisional series.