MLB Betting: Angels face key series with Rangers

Ervin Santana got the lone Angels win over the Rangers last weekend.

At this point, the Los Angeles Angels are a sinking ship and one more bucket, no matter the size, just isn’t going to do much to bail them out.

In July the perennial American League West top dogs have scored four runs or more only eight times in 24 contests.  That lack of offense has contributed to a miserable 8-16 record this month and an 8 ½-game deficit in the division chase.

The Halos’ last hurrah could come this weekend when they try to keep the torrid Texas Rangers in their sights during a three-game set at the Big A.

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Los Angeles failed miserably last weekend in Arlington, losing three of four and then returned home and suffered a series-sweep at the hands of the Boston Red Sox.

Meanwhile, things are going so well for the Rangers that Dallas Morning News columnist Tim Colishaw is writing about possible first-round playoffs opponents before the month of July has ended.

Friday night’s opener will be a rematch of the one game the Halos did manage to win in Texas, with Ervin Santana (9-7, 3.55) facing Scott Feldman (5-9, 5.46).

Santana has been tremendous throughout July, completing at least eight innings in three of his four starts and allowing a total of eight runs in 31 1/3 innings. He limited the Rangers to two runs and five hits over eight innings last Saturday and struck out eight, though he was touched for two home runs.

The baseball betting line for that game closed with the Angels plus 110 underdogs.

Feldman may be pitching for his spot in the rotation with Rich Harden throwing well in rehab starts for Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Feldman was perfect through three innings in his last start against Los Angeles before allowing eight of the next 14 batters to reach base. The Rangers’ ace last season is winless over his last six starts and hasn’t cashed since June 16. In 10 career games in Anaheim with five starts, Feldman is 2-4.

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Texas wrapped up a seven-game home stand on Thursday against Oakland before hitting the highway for nine straight games against division rivals. The Rangers have won 14 of their last 18 on the road and prevailed in 12 of 17 versus Western tenants.

The Angels have won five straight following an off day. They are 5-2 in Santana’s last seven starts against Texas and 16-5 in his last 21 series opening outings.

Texas has won seven of the last 10 series showdowns, but dropped five of seven in Orange County.

The Rangers have strayed ‘under’ at a 12-3-1 clip in their last 16 games and dipped below the limit at a 6-0-2 rate against division competition.

Conversely, the Angels have jumped the number in six straight games following an off day.