LA Angels at Texas Rangers 8/8/20 - MLB Picks & Predictions

The Los Angeles Angels travel on the road to Globe Life Field to take on the Texas Rangers. The home team Rangers have to be excited to be back home after losing five of their last six games, all on the road. The Rangers were swept in a three-game series against the Athletics, capped off with a 6-4 loss to drop their record on the year to 3-8. The Angels beat the Mariners 6-1 to win the series and improve their record on the year to 5-8. 

The Angels have struggled from the plate as a team this season batting just .217 on the year but have scored a shade over five runs per game which ranks in the top half of the MLB. With all-world player Mike Trout anchoring the outfield and boasting solid numbers at the plate this season batting .306 with 4 home runs and 9 RBIs in just nine games. Trout was exceptional against the Mariners hitting three home runs and driving in five runs in three games. 

Los Angeles will start Patrick Sandoval, who opened the season with a four inning no-decision, allowing just one run and striking out four. Sandoval pitched 39.1 innings in his rookie season for the Angels last season, posting a 5.03 ERA.

The Rangers are one of the worst offensive teams in the MLB this season batting a dismal .208 from the plate and scoring just 3.2 runs per game, the 29th ranked scoring offense in the MLB this season. 

The Rangers will send out Kolby Allard who has made just one appearance this year but was solid pitching four innings allowing 2 hits and walking 2. Allard has a career ERA of 5.81 but has made just 13 appearances in the MLB in his young three-year career.