The Los Angeles Angels (51-55) and Texas Rangers (56-50) will face off in the MLB tonight. First pitch from Angel Stadium is scheduled for 9:38 p.m. ET. The game will broadcast live on RSN.
The Rangers hit the road on Monday evening to begin a series with the Angels. The Rangers just swept the Atlanta Braves at home, and their offense has started to pick up steam. Jacob DeGrom will be on the mound for Texas, taking on Jack Kochanowicz tonight
Continue below for my Rangers vs Angels predictions and MLB picks for Monday, July 28, as well as probable pitchers, betting trends, injury reports and more.
My Rangers vs Angels Prediction
- Rangers vs Angels pick: Rangers First Five Innings Team Total Over 2.5 Runs (-115)
My Angels vs. Rangers best bet is on Texas to go over its first five innings team total, with the best line currently available at DraftKings. But as always, make sure to find the best odds by checking our live MLB odds page.
Rangers vs Angels Odds
| Rangers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 -125 | 8.5 -115o / -105u | -200 |
| Angels Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 +105 | 8.5 -115o / -105u | +165 |
John Feltman's Rangers vs Angels Preview
Texas Rangers Betting Preview: Offense Picking Up Steam
The Rangers have won five games in a row and continue to play excellent baseball. It gets better for them tonight as their ace takes the mound in Jacob deGrom.
DeGrom is having a strong season, posting a 2.28 ERA and a 10-2 overall record. He has 122 strikeouts in 118 IP, so it’s clear his swing-and-miss stuff is still alive post Tommy-John surgery.
He ranks above the 80th percentile in the following pitching metrics:
- K%
- BB%
- Chase Rate
- Whiff Rate
- Fastball Velocity
- xERA (2.99)
That’s extremely impressive after coming off major surgery. He didn’t fare too well against the Angels his last time out, lasting only 5 Innings and allowing 3 ERs.
That’s not a terrible start, but certainly not up to his standard. Tonight, I’d expect a much stronger outing.
The Rangers have picked up the slack offensively, and they get an intense matchup tonight against Kochanowicz.
As a team, the Rangers are much better offensively against right-handers, which makes the matchup even more premium.
It’s hard not to like the Rangers tonight, but their moneyline price is too steep for me.
Los Angeles Angels Betting Preview: Kochanowicz' Metrics Hurting Halos
The Angels have their hands full tonight, starting with the pitching matchup. It’s as lopsided as you can get, as Jack Kochanowicz enters tonight with a 6.03 ERA and 3-9 win-loss record.
I don’t understand how Kochanowicz is still pitching in the major leagues. He’s only 24 years old but needs more service time in the minors.
His underlying metrics are just as awful as his actual counting stats, ranking below the 25th percentile in the following categories:
- xERA
- xBA
- Avg Exit Velo
- Whiff%
- K%
- BB%
- Hard Hit Rate
His 54% ground ball rate is impressive, but it’s not nearly good enough if he cannot generate weaker opposing contact or more strikeouts. He’s one of the worst starting pitchers in baseball, and it’s tough to back a team whenever he’s on the mound.
To make matters worse for the Halos, they take on Jacob deGrom tonight, whom they were able to chase out of the game early on July 7.
I have a hard time envisioning deGrom throwing up another clunker this time. So, I have zero interest in the Halos tonight, especially with Konachowicz on the mound.
Rangers vs Angels Prediction, Betting Analysis
I will back the red-hot Rangers offense tonight in the first five innings.
Their team total is better than laying the -200 moneyline price tag for the F5 or the whole game.
I expect the Rangers' bats to stay hot in a highly premium matchup against Kochanowicz, who I believe will labor throughout the first half of the matchup.
The offense has had potential all season, but it’s finally coming together despite some injuries.
If you don’t mind laying -200 for the F5 moneyline, I don’t mind that play either, but this is a cheaper way to back the Rangers tonight.
Pick: Rangers F5 Team Total Over 2.5 (-115)
