PREMIUM
Stephen Nover's Underdog Game of the Year
(MLB) LA Angels vs. Texas,
Money Line: 118.00 LA Angels (Away)
Result: Win
Money Line: 118.00 LA Angels (Away)
Result: Win
The Angels are in must-win mode trailing Houston by one game for a wild-card berth. Texas is in letdown mode after clinching a playoff spot with a 5-3 victory over Anaheim in this series opener.
The Rangers capture the AL West Division with just one more victory during their last three games, or if Houston should lose any of its three remaining games on the road against Arizona. So the Rangers are in a celebratory mood after failing to make the postseason during the past two seasons. They know they're all but officially division champs.
The Angels have won seven of their last nine games. They have owned the Rangers when playing in Arlington winning 14 of their past 17 road contests (82 percent) versus Texas.
Three-time All-Star Jered Weaver is pitching for the Angels. He's 2-0 with a 2.06 ERA in his last five starts against the Rangers. Look for the savvy veteran Weaver to step up and pitch an effective game.
Texas is going with the much younger Martin Perez, who has a 4.77 ERA on the season and had an inconsistent September going 1-3 with a 4.18 in five starts.
The Rangers are 6-13 the last 19 times Perez has gone against an opponent with a winning record. I trust Weaver and the motivated Angels against a young inconsistent Perez and a Rangers squad that has a bad home history against the Angels and is in a letdown situation.
The Rangers capture the AL West Division with just one more victory during their last three games, or if Houston should lose any of its three remaining games on the road against Arizona. So the Rangers are in a celebratory mood after failing to make the postseason during the past two seasons. They know they're all but officially division champs.
The Angels have won seven of their last nine games. They have owned the Rangers when playing in Arlington winning 14 of their past 17 road contests (82 percent) versus Texas.
Three-time All-Star Jered Weaver is pitching for the Angels. He's 2-0 with a 2.06 ERA in his last five starts against the Rangers. Look for the savvy veteran Weaver to step up and pitch an effective game.
Texas is going with the much younger Martin Perez, who has a 4.77 ERA on the season and had an inconsistent September going 1-3 with a 4.18 in five starts.
The Rangers are 6-13 the last 19 times Perez has gone against an opponent with a winning record. I trust Weaver and the motivated Angels against a young inconsistent Perez and a Rangers squad that has a bad home history against the Angels and is in a letdown situation.
