Angels at Rangers
The Los Angeles Angels have responded with back-to-back stellar efforts following the death of Tyler Skaggs, and they look to complete a three-game sweep of the host Texas Rangers on Thursday. The series was shortened from four to three games when Skaggs tragically passed away on Monday, and Los Angeles has overcome the adversity with 9-4 and 6-2 victories.
All-Star Mike Trout, who tearfully remembered Skaggs in a press conference following Tuesday's victory, belted two homers and drove in four runs on Wednesday as he has gone deep eight times against the Rangers this season while also moving into a tie with Edwin Encarnacion for the American League lead with 24 blasts. Albert Pujols was out of the lineup after fouling a ball off his foot on Tuesday and the club is hopeful he won't require a stint on the 10-day injured list. Texas has scored just 10 runs during a four-game slide that has followed a season-high six-game winning streak. Slugger Joey Gallo has struck out five times in seven hitless at-bats for the Rangers in the series after going 6-for-13 with three homers over his previous four games.
TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, FS West (Los Angeles), FS Southwest (Texas)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels RH Griffin Canning (3-4, 3.79 ERA) vs. Rangers RH Lance Lynn (10-4, 4.00)
Canning settled for a no-decision against Texas on May 24, when he gave up one run and three hits over five innings, and is making this start on the day Skaggs was scheduled to pitch. The 23-year-old Canning defeated Oakland in his last turn as he permitted two runs and three hits over six frames. Canning had dropped his previous three decisions before recording his first victory since tossing seven scoreless innings against Kansas City on May 18.
Lynn has won three consecutive turns and four straight decisions over a six-start stretch. The 32-year-old was superb in his last effort as he registered 10 strikeouts and scattered three hits over eight innings in a 5-0 triumph over Tampa Bay. Lynn is 1-1 with a 2.84 ERA in two starts against the Angels this season and 1-2 with a 4.30 ERA in five career outings versus the club.
WALK-OFFS
1. Rangers DH Hunter Pence (groin) was replaced on the AL All-Star team on Wednesday but said he was not disappointed that he won't be able to play in the Midsummer Classic on Tuesday.
2. Los Angeles 2B Tommy La Stella (fractured right tibia) also was replaced on the AL team after landing on the 10-day injured list along with OF Brian Goodwin (wrist) while 3B Matt Thaiss and OF Jarrett Parker were recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake.
3. Texas RHP Matt Bush (elbow) will undergo Tommy John surgery after experiencing tightness in a recent minor-league outing, with an ensuing MRI exam detecting a tear.