The Los Angeles Angels visit the Texas Rangers to kick off a three-game set at Globe Life Field in Arlington, with Jose Soriano taking the mound for the Angels against Jacob deGrom for the Rangers. First pitch is scheduled for 8:05 p.m. ET.
Series and recent form context
The Rangers hold a 6-4 edge in the season series entering this matchup. The Angels arrive off a sweep at the hands of the Chicago Cubs in Anaheim, losing 4-3 as underdogs on Sunday and extending a recent slide to seven losses in their last nine games. Taylor Ward provided the offense in the finale with two RBIs, including a solo homer in the first inning. Texas, meanwhile, closed out a three-game sweep of the Cleveland Guardians with a 5-0 win on Sunday, riding a solid stretch that has them 4-1 in their last five contests. Rowdy Tellez delivered a two-run homer and Joc Pederson added a solo shot to power the victory.
Projected starters
Angels: RHP Jose Soriano (8-9, 4.00 ERA) makes his 27th start. He carries a 1.38 WHIP, 3.9 BB/9, and 7.9 K/9 over 148 2/3 innings. Soriano was reinstated from the restricted list for personal reasons prior to this start. His last appearance resulted in a no-decision after 5 2/3 innings and five earned runs against Oakland in a game the Angels won 11-5 in extra innings.
Rangers: RHP Jacob deGrom (10-5, 2.76 ERA) makes his 25th start. He owns a 0.93 WHIP, 1.9 BB/9, and 9.5 K/9 through 140 1/3 innings. DeGrom missed a scheduled start due to shoulder fatigue prior to his most recent outing, in which he spun five scoreless innings against Toronto. This season against the Angels, he’s 0-1 with a 6.97 ERA in two starts. Across his career vs. Los Angeles, he is 1-1 with a 3.80 ERA in four starts.
Key notes
– Soriano has shown some inconsistencies, including outings with multiple earned runs in recent turns, but has the upside of a high strikeout rate when he’s locating.
– DeGrom has been generally effective, though his recent absence with shoulder fatigue adds some uncertainty to Arlington’s tight matchup. He has a long track record of success, but the Angels did plate eight earned runs against him in 10 1/3 innings this season, underscoring potential vulnerability if he isn’t at his best.
Odds and lines (BetMGM)
Moneyline: Angels +145; Rangers -180
Run line: Angels +1.5 (-155); Rangers -1.5 (+125)
Over/Under: 7 (Over -120; Under +100)
Picks and predictions
Prediction: Rangers 5, Angels 4. The Rangers are the slight favorites, but the price on them on the moneyline is steep enough to warrant a cautious approach.
What to bet
– Bet Angels +1.5 (-155): The Angels have shown they can stay within a run or two in this matchup, and deGrom’s form has been strong but not unbeatable in every appearance. A +1.5 spread offers a solid chance to cash even in a close game.
– Bet Over 7 (-120): DeGrom’s recent track record includes plenty of frequent scoring and the Angels’ offense has the capability to scratch across runs, especially if Soriano runs into trouble. The Over has also shown propensity in deGrom starts, making this a reasonable target given the current forms.
Valuable context and outlook
Texas owns the season-series edge and has climbed back into form with dependable recent results, while Los Angeles has scuffled recently but possesses enough offensive upside to threaten a close game. Soriano’s return from the restricted list adds a layer of intrigue to how the Angels handle Texas’s lineup, and deGrom’s health and readiness after shoulder-related time off will be watched closely by both teams.
If you’re looking for a hopeful takeaway, this series could swing on a few at-bats late in games. Both teams have the potential to deliver a tight, competitive set, and a timely homer or two could tilt a game in either direction.
Summary
The Angels and Rangers meet in a closely matched series opener with deGrom on the mound for Texas and Soriano for Los Angeles. Expect a competitive game with a strong chance of a one- or two-run result, making Angels +1.5 and the Over 7 appealing bets for this contest.