Rangers Look to Salvage Split in Final Game Against Angels

The Texas Rangers have not made the most of their trip to Anaheim for a four-game series against the last-place Los Angeles Angels.

On Monday night, Texas got things started on the right foot with a big 4-1 win, but has since lost back-to-back games.

As the series comes to a close, all the Rangers have left is the opportunity to earn a split on Thursday night.

First pitch is another late one for those in the DFW area as the action is slated to get underway at 9:07 p.m. CST.

Rangers Sports Network will have all the action on the TV side of things, and 105.3 The Fan will once again have the radio call.

Jacob deGrom will toe the rubber for Texas to make his 23rd start of the season. Coming into play, the Rangers' ace is 8-7 with a 3.87 ERA, a 1.13 WHIP, and 144 strikeouts in 118.2 innings pitched.

DeGrom has faced the Angels twice already this season, allowing six runs over just three innings worth of work in Anaheim back in May and allowing just two runs in five innings on July 7 in Arlington.

In his last start against the Baltimore Orioles, deGrom went five innings and allowed just one run while striking out nine in a game that Texas would eventually go on to win 5-1. It also marked deGrom’s first start since the Trade Deadline, when he declined to waive his no-trade clause to remain in Arlington.

On the other side of the ball, Texas will face Angels right-hander Walbert Urena, who has put forth a solid rookie campaign.

Entering play on Thursday, Urena is 7-8 with a 2.83 ERA, a 1.29 WHIP, and 97 strikeouts in 101.2 innings.

The Rangers have faced Urena twice this season, managing to score just one run in nine innings against him.

Walks can be an issue for Urena as he has already issued 55 free passes this season. Texas has drawn eight walks in their previous two games against him this season but will need to turn those into runs if they want to leave Anaheim with a record of .500.

Coming into play, the Rangers sit just 1.5 games back of first place in the American League West. In the Wild Card race, Texas holds the AL’s final spot despite being below .500.