Angels at Rangers
Two-way star Shohei Ohtani isn’t expected to see action Monday when the Los Angeles Angels begin a three-game series against the host Texas Rangers, but that’s only because even rookie phenoms need a day of rest. Ohtani has already homered three times as a hitter and was even more impressive in Sunday’s 6-1 win over Oakland, pitching 6 1/3 perfect innings with 12 strikeouts.
Mike Trout snapped an 0-for-15 skid with a solo homer Sunday while new arrival Ryan Schimpf started at third base and homered with two walks to help the Angels improve to 7-3. Of course, most of the buzz around the Angels is focused on Ohtani, who is typically given the day off before and after he pitches but will likely serve as the team’s designated hitter on Tuesday. “I think he’s mature beyond his years,” manager Mike Scioscia told reporters. “Shohei, he’s very confident, he works very, very hard at what he needs to do, and there's a lot on his plate. But he has the talent to do it.” The Rangers dropped two of three against Toronto over the weekend despite another strong series from leadoff hitter Shin-Soo Choo, who has scored a run in five straight games and is batting .325 with three home runs.
TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, FS West (Los Angeles), FS Southwest (Texas)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels RH Garrett Richards (1-0, 5.06 ERA) vs. Rangers RH Doug Fister (1-1, 3.12)
After struggling in his Opening Day start against Oakland, Richards earned the victory last Tuesday against Cleveland by allowing two runs on one hit with four walks and nine strikeouts over 5 2/3 innings. The 29-year-old native of Oklahoma is hoping for a healthy campaign after being limited to a total of 12 starts over the last seasons due to various injuries. Rougned Odor is 2-for-25 with nine strikeouts against Richards, who is 9-4 with a 3.15 ERA in 21 career games (17 starts) against Texas.
After tossing five innings of one-run ball in his first start against Houston, Fister allowed two runs on seven hits over 3 2/3 frames in last Wednesday’s 6-2 loss to Oakland. “I was putting them in good hitters’ counts and not getting ahead of them,” Fister told reporters. “I’ve got to be better, period.” Andrelton Simmons is 4-for-26 against the 34-year-old native Californian, who has gone 3-4 with a 2.90 ERA in 13 career starts against the Angels.
WALK-OFFS
1. Texas was 11-8 against the Angels last season, including 5-4 at Globe Life Park.
2. The Angels placed JC Ramirez on the 10-day disabled list with a right elbow strain and recalled fellow RHPs Eduardo Paredes and Felix Pena from Triple-A Salt Lake.
3. Texas is 18-25 at home since last season’s All-Star break.