Los Angeles Angels vs. Texas Rangers Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 4/14/2022

Time: 8:05 p.m. ET

Venue: Globe Life Field, Arlington, Texas

Where to watch: Bally Sports West, Bally Sports Southwest

DraftKings: Angels -140, Rangers +120

BetMGM: Angels -135, Rangers +110

Caesars: Angels -145, Rangers +125

Angels: 3-3

Rangers: 1-4

Shohei Ohtani descends upon Arlington, Texas. Things are going to go one of two ways: Either the reigning AL MVP will show everyone why he is just that, or the Texas Rangers will figure everything out to the point where they can actually win a game without their bullpen choking.

Believe me when I say the two are absolutely intertwined as the two AL West rivals get set to begin a four-game series at Globe Life on Thursday with Ohtani taking the mound against Dane Dunning in what is likely going to be one of the more lopsided pitching matchups we get this year.

Alas, this might be a lopsided matchup already given the fact the Rangers have let so many wins go by the wayside this year. They could’ve swept the Toronto Blue Jays, and they could’ve at least won one against the Colorado Rockies … actually, they should have given that stupid baserunning rule on Monday.

But the Rangers failed to generate anything the next day, scoring only one run and falling short to the Rockies 4-1 in Martin Perez’s return start to Texas. The former Ranger now-returned Ranger went just four innings and allowed three runs. The veteran brought back to the rotation is going to have to be a steady hand with Jon Gray on the IL with a blister.

“I think if I keep doing those little things with those two pitches, good things are going to happen for me and for the team,” Pérez said. “So I'm just going to stay focused and play hard and see what happens. … I think everything was good except the hit-by-pitches. I think I was rushing a little bit with my front side, but I feel great. [I threw] 70 pitches, a lot of strikes, a lot of ground balls and the double plays. It was fun to be back here and do my thing again for the fans.”

The Rangers, while only one win to show for it, have gotten some timely hitting from throughout the lineup. The obvious name is Corey Seager, who’s batting .318 in his first five games with two RBI. Brad Miller has been a tremendous utility man with five RBI, and Mitch Garver leads with a .333 average.

But that pitching has got to get under control, and that’ll be hard to do against an Angels team that has Ohtani at the ready for whatever cause. Oh, and there’s that Mike Trout guy that’s ready to hit dingers whenever needed.

The Angels are coming off a two-game sweep of the Miami Marlins at home, capped by a 4-3 win on Tuesday. But despite that win, the big bats have been quiet. Anthony Rendon had a two-run home run against the Marlins, but Ohtani and Trout have been hitting well below .250.

"Rendon looks fine to me,” Angels manager Joe Maddon said. “I watch things like his balance and his bat speed. He's going to start squaring them up and get really hot. You've seen it before. And Mikey is real close. Ohtani, I'm not worried about him. The rest of them, I like the mix and the group supports itself well."

At some point, the Angels bats are going to wake up and scare the rest of the league. It might as well be in this game against a pitching staff that is beyond questionable right now.

Any time you get Ohtani to do both pitching and hitting, you’re bound for an interesting time. This one, I’d venture to guess, would benefit both of him. I’d expect a strong outing on the mound, and I think a home run is in order for him at the plate. Angels win 8-5

Angels are 25-12 the past three years following a five-game span when the bullpen ERA was 6.50 or worse.

Angels are 17-17 the past three seasons following a one-run win.

Rangers are 69-120 the past three seasons as an underdog.

Rangers are 52-61 the past three seasons at home.

Angels:
Shohei Ohtani (L) DH
Mike Trout (R) CF
Anthony Rendon (R) 3B
Jack Mayfield (R) 2B
Max Stassi (R) C
Matt Duffy (R) 1B
Jo Adell (R) RF
Brandon Marsh (L) LF
Andrew Velazquez (S) SS

Rangers:
Brad Miller (L) LF
Marcus Semien (R) 2B
Corey Seager (L) SS
Mitch Garver (R) C
Nathaniel Lowe (L) 1B
Adolis Garcia (R) CF
Kole Calhoun (L) RF
Andy Ibanez (R) 3B
Willie Calhoun (L) DH

LAA: Shohei Ohtani (0-1, 1.93 ERA)
TEX: Dane Dunning (0-0, 5.40 ERA)

Batting average: Jared Walsh -- .300

Hits: Jared Walsh -- 6

Home runs: Six tied -- 1

RBI: Brandon Marsh -- 4

Wins: Michael Lorenzen -- 1

Saves: Raisel Iglesias -- 1

ERA: Michael Lorenzen -- 1.50

Batting average: Nathaniel Lowe -- .333

Hits: Corey Seager -- 7

Home runs: Brad Miller -- 2

RBI: Two tied -- 5

Wins: Brock Burke -- 1

Saves: N/A

ERA: Dane Dunning -- 5.40