The struggling Los Angeles Angels (48-55) open up a pivotal three game set with the Texas Rangers (56-49) tonight at 7:00 p.m. in Arlington. The game can be live streamed here; Angels fans can listen to the game on KLAA 830, while Rangers fans can hear the action on 103.3 ESPN.
The Angels need to start piling up wins and fast. They are 13 games behind the Oakland Athletics in the American League West race, and seven behind the Rangers in the Wild Card hunt. They have an excellent opportunity to kick off the series on the right foot, with staff ace Jered Weaver (5-5, 2.98 ERA) on the hill.
Since returning from an elbow injury with some rocky outings Weaver has taken off in July, going 4-1 with a sparkling 1.32 ERA. He has struck out 31 batters, while walking just seven, and has become the rock of the rotation the way Mike Trout anchors the lineup.
Weaver has not been fazed by his injury, nor the Angels struggles. "You go about every game the same way regardless of if you've lost seven in a row or won seven in a row," Weaver said. "You go out there and battle and try to win games. That's your job as a starting pitcher."
The Angels must withstand even more adversity; big-money first baseman Albert Pujols is out indefinitely due to his plantar fasciitis. That blow to the offense puts even more onus on Weaver to perform.
Speaking on the loss of Pujols, Angels manager Mike Scioscia said, "This is a big blow to our team right now. We have to move forward and find a way to generate offense that will support the good pitching that we need. It's naturally something you would hope could have made it through to the offseason, but it didn't happen and you just have to move on."
Weaver will battle against Matt Garza (7-1, 2.87 ERA) who shined in his Rangers debut vs. the Yankees. "I couldn't be more happy being in a place where I'm at, a place where I'm wanted, been wanted. It's awesome," Garza said.
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