La Angels Angels vs Texas Rangers Picks and Predictions July 9th 2024

Rangers, Max Scherzer Look to Add to Angels’ Woes

Max Scherzer started playing for the Texas Rangers on June 23, but he has not regained his dominant form yet. Scherzer, about to reach 40 on July 27, might not fully reach his peak performance again, but he’s moving in the right direction.

Scherzer’s Next Scheduled Pitching Appearance

Scherzer is scheduled to pitch on Tuesday in Anaheim, California, taking on the Los Angeles Angels in the second game of a three-game series. It will be his fourth start of the season following his successful recovery from back surgery in the offseason. Despite not being the dominant pitcher he once was, winning three Cy Young Awards and finishing in the top five of the Cy Young voting eight times, Scherzer has been improving with each game he plays since his comeback.

Scherzer( 1- 2,2.70 ERA) has increased his innings and pitch count in each launch, reaching61/3 innings and 90 pitches in his most recent spin on Thursday against the San Diego Padres.

“ Physically, I am definitely better. Arm felt better, stronger, ” Scherzer said after allowing three runs and six hits in the Rangers’ 3- 1 loss to the Padres. “ Got to 90 pitches, felt strong there. Even got to the seventh, felt strong in the seventh. From a physical standpoint, I am really doing well. That is what is encouraging coming out of this start. I am recovering well. ”

Scherzer’s Career Success Against the Angels

Scherzer has historically enjoyed success against the Angels, going 5- 1 with a2.09 ERA in seven starts. This bodes well for the Rangers as they aim to extend their winning streak.

Rangers’ Offensive Power

To contend against the Rangers, who have won four straight games, the Angels will need to contain Corey Seager. The Texas shortstop homered and doubled in the Rangers’ 9- 4 win over Los Angeles on Monday, giving him seven homers in his once 15 games against the Angels. In 53 career games against the Angels, Seager is hitting.306( 63- for- 206) with 12 homers.

Anthony Rendon’s Return

Anthony Rendon is anticipated to start on Tuesday as the Angels’ designated hitter after playing at third base on Monday. This was Rendon’s first appearance since suffering a strained left hamstring on April 20.

“ It was a long time coming, but I am ready to keep on going and finish the second half strong, ” said Rendon, who went 1- for- 4 with an RBI single on Monday. “ The main thing I wanted to do was run every day, obviously, being a hamstring injury. I wanted to make sure I got out there, ran the bases and got moving every single day. ”

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Manager’s Confidence in Rendon

Angels director Ron Washington expressed confidence in Rendon’s determination to perform well.

“ I talked with him earlier( Monday) before he got to the ballpark and he’d the same excitement in his voice that he’d over the winter, ” Washington said. “ He really wanted to perform this year. It’s too bad that the hamstring pushed him back. He knows he is a better player than what he is shown to Angels fans. ”

Roansy Contreras’ part

Roansy Contreras( 1- 1,4.04 ERA) is listed to start for the Angels on Tuesday. It’ll be the right- hander’s third start this season as an opener in a bullpen game. Contreras pitched at least22/3 innings in each of his former two starts but failed to keep the opposition from scoring in each outing. He yielded a combined four runs( three earned) and seven hits in52/3 innings during those two appearances, both against the Oakland A’s.

Conclusion

As the Rangers continue their hot streak, they look to capitalize on Scherzer’s progress and the offensive power of players like Corey Seager. Meanwhile, the Angels hope to turn their fortunes around with the return of Anthony Rendon and a solid performance from Roansy Contreras. The middle contest of this three- game series promises to be a vital matchup for both teams.