Angels-Rangers game promises intriguing matchup


Max Scherzer has confronted 11,879 batters in his 16 years within the majors, common and postseason mixed, however he has by no means stared down Shohei Ohtani

The 39-year-old right-hander, a three-time Cy Younger Award winner, ought to get the prospect when he takes the mound for the Texas Rangers within the opener of a three-game collection towards the visiting Los Angeles Angels on Monday evening

Ohtani is predicted to be again in his acquainted designated hitter spot, and the 2021 AL MVP must be desperate to see what he can accomplish towards Scherzer, who hasn’t pitched towards the Angels because the 2014 season, 4 years earlier than Ohtani arrived in Anaheim

Ohtani was main the majors in dwelling runs till Matt Olson of the Atlanta Braves hit one on Thursday, two extra Saturday and one on Sunday to maneuver forward with 43

After blasting 14 dwelling runs in a 25-game stretch from June 26 to July 28, Ohtani’s tempo has slowed dramatically. He has related on simply two dwelling runs prior to now 15 video games and went eight video games with out one earlier than hitting his forty first of the season in a 2-1 win towards the Houston Astros on Sunday

Scherzer (11-4, 3.88 ERA) received his first two begins with Texas following his commerce from the New York Mets on the finish of July and owns three straight wins total

He most lately took restricted a weak Oakland squad to at least one run and three hits in seven innings of a 6-1 win on Tuesday

“That is only a typical Scherzer outing,” A’s supervisor Mark Kotsay stated. “He is aware of learn how to pitch. That is why he is been so profitable in his profession and why the Rangers went out and bought him — to eat innings and be a big-time performer.

Scherzer made his group debut towards one other struggling group, the Chicago White Sox, and held them to a few runs and 7 hits in six innings of a 5-3 win on Aug. 3

“It is nice to get that sort of run assist,” Scherzer stated. “Hopefully, these guys preserve banging away for the remainder of the way in which. They have an important factor going, so it is enjoyable to look at.

Scherzer has confronted the Angels six instances in his profession and is 4-1 with a 2.45 ERA

The Angels plan to begin left-hander Patrick Sandoval

Sandoval (6-8, 3.86) goes by way of a stable stretch of his personal, posting a 2-1 mark and 1.86 ERA over his previous 5 begins

He restricted the San Francisco Giants to 2 runs and 5 hits over 6 2/3 innings on Aug. 7. He entered the seventh inning with a 2-1 lead however surrendered a leadoff dwelling run, and the Angels ultimately fell aside within the 8-3 loss

“It is a powerful recreation, a troublesome capsule to swallow,” Sandoval stated. “Clearly, I am not proud of myself giving them the chance to tie it proper after we take the lead. I simply really feel like I bought to make higher pitches in these sorts of conditions.

Sandoval will attempt to choose up the place his pitching employees left off within the 2-1 win towards the Astros on Sunday, stopping the Angels from getting swept

“It is simply not going our approach proper now,” Sandoval stated. “This group fights each single day. This can be a shut group. You may see the look on everybody’s faces. We’re not proud of the outcomes, however we all know what we’re able to.

Sandoval is 1-2 in six profession appearances towards the Rangers, together with 5 begins, with a 3.07 ERA

–Discipline Degree Medi