AL Betting Preview: Los Angeles Angels at Texas Rangers

Two slumping teams try to get back on the winning track in Dallas on Tuesday as the Texas Rangers host the Los Angeles Angels. Both teams have been among the biggest disappointments in Major League Baseball this year. The Angels have been trying to rise above mediocrity all season but just can’t seem to do it. The Rangers started the season in decent form but have slumped lately as their offensive production has nosedived. At least the Rangers are still theoretically in the AL West hunt-they trail the first place Oakland A’s by six games. The Angels have pretty much played themselves out of contention at this point 14 games out of first place. They won’t finish in last place-the hapless Houston Astros have a lock on that dubious distinction-but for a team with such a big payroll ‘next to last’ is small consolation. The Angels’ biggest problem this season has been finishing games-they’re a team that ‘finds a way to lose’ games that they should win. On Monday night they squandered another strong effort from righthander Jered Weaver and the Texas Rangers won the game in the bottom of the ninth.

Los Angeles will start lefthander CJ Wilson in this game and he’s been in very good form lately after an up and down start to the season. Overall Wilson has a 3.18 ERA and the Angels have won 12 of his 21 starts. In his last three starts he’s been exceptional with a 1.61 ERA and the Angels have won all of these games. The Rangers will counter with their own talented southpaw, Derek Holland. Holland’s season is similar to Wilson’s in that he’s been up and down but has looked strong of late with a 2.42 ERA in his last three starts. Unfortunately since the Rangers have been struggling at the plate they managed to lose two of those three games despite Wilson’s solid performance.

In theory we’d like to take the Angels once again but their penchant to lose games late scares us. Texas doesn’t have a great home record (30-24 -6.5 units) but they are over .500 so the way to play this game looks to be the total. We’ll take the ‘Under’ with two pitchers in good form taking the mound.

BET LOS ANGELES ANGELS/TEXAS RANGERS UNDER 8′ -120