Rangers @ Angels

Who will WIN this matchup?

Texas Rangers (62-82)

@ Los Angeles Angels (71-73)

Starting Pitchers:

Sampson (TEX): 0-0; 54.00 ERA

Johnson (LAA) 5-3; 3.81 ERA

Last 10 Games Played:

Texas Rangers: 4-6

Los Angeles Angels: 6-4

Current odds:

Texas Rangers: (+140)

Los Angeles Angels: (-150)

• The Texas Rangers used a big second inning in the series opener to halt their four-game skid and look to put together a string of wins when they visit the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday for the middle contest of their three-game set. Texas scored four times in the second frame en route to a 5-2 triumph – its first win since topping the Angels last Tuesday. Joey Gallo delivered a two-run double and Ronald Guzman followed with a two-run homer for the Rangers, who yielded at least seven runs in each game during its losing streak. Gallo added an RBI single on Monday to cap his second three-RBI performance in three games.

• Los Angeles’ offense faltered again as the club, which has recorded a total of three runs in its last two games, suffered its first loss since the setback in Texas last Tuesday. Japanese two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani, who went 2-for-4, is riding an eight-game hitting streak during which he has gone 13-for-29 with four homers and 11 RBIs after driving in one run and scoring the other in Monday’s defeat.

• Sampson will be making his first start of the year and the second of his career after yielding three runs – two earned – and four hits while retiring just one batter in relief at Oakland on Friday in his season debut. The 26-year-old native of Washington made his first major-league appearance on June 18, 2016 as he started for Seattle and surrendered four runs and eight hits over 4 2/3 frames in a loss at Boston. Sampson posted an 8-4 record with one save and a 3.77 ERA in 19 starts and 14 relief outings with Triple-A Round Rock this season.

• Johnson is expected to make his second career start and first since his major-league debut with Baltimore on July 29, 2006 – a loss in which he was battered for eight runs on nine hits and three walks over three innings. The 35-year-old New Yorker has made 666 relief appearances between starts, including 55 this season. Johnson has allowed four runs over five frames in five games versus Texas this season and is 1-1 with a 5.48 ERA in 23 career meetings.

• Angels CF Mike Trout has posted three straight multi-hit performances, going 9-for-13 during the run.

• Texas activated OF Ryan Rua (back) from the 10-day disabled list and sent RHP Chris Rowley outright to Round Rock.

• Ohtani was named the AL Player of the Week for the second time during his rookie season after hitting .474 with four homers, 10 RBIs and eight runs scored in five games.