The main difference between the lefties on the mound tonight is the offense and bullpen that supports them as well as their ability to control their pitches. That's where Texas has all three advantages. Derek Holland has been great with his control all year long and has a 3.26 ERA at home. He has not always been great against the Angels but he also has plenty of quality starts and right now the Angels are struggling to find their offense.
C.J. Wilson however comes into this game on 4 days rest with his last 4 starts averaging 119 pitches. He walks 3.45 batters per 9, but on the road he's even worse at 4.17 and even worse vs. RHB which the Rangers put 7 in the line up tonight. Wilson has 3 starts in Texas since he left and they have not been of quality as he's allowed 14 ER in just 11.1 IP with a WHIP well over 2. The Rangers have had huge success this year vs. pitchers who struggle with location. Only 3 of the 11 actually got past the 6th innings and twice it was Jarrod Parker. Overall opposing starters who walk over 3 guys per 9 averaged just 5.1 IP and had a 5.95 ERA. That will not set things up well for the Angels whose bullpen has been struggling big time. I really like the Rangers to build off last night's victory.
This one is easy for me. The Twins are ice cold scoring 2.94 runs per 9 in their last 10 games and the Royals are hot winners of 6 in a row. They have Ervin Santana on the mound who has a quality start in every single game (9) on 5 days rest while posting a 2.45 ERA. He's also had great success against these Twins posting a 2.07 ERA over his last 4 starts spanning the last three years. The Twins are much more dangerous against LHP than they are against RHP and they send Mike Pelfrey to the mound who struggles big time when runners get on base. The Twins are 16-56 in their last 72 vs. a starter with a WHIP < 1.15.
