The Los Angeles Angels have a lot of ground to make up in the American League West, and they open a road series against the division-leading Texas Rangers Friday night in Arlington. The series opener provides a great matchup on the mound, with former Ranger C.J. Wilson facing new Ranger Yu Darvish.
Wilson had a successful conversion from the bullpen to starting with Texas, winning 31 games with a 3.14 ERA in the last two years atop the starting rotation of back-to-back AL pennant winners. He cashed in this winter with a five-year, $77.5 million contract with the Angels, and Wilson has done everything expected so far with his hometown team.
With all due respect to Wilson, the Rangers haven't missed him one bit, as they are 20-11 and replaced him in the rotation with Darvish, a pitcher six years his junior. Six starts isn't nearly enough time to draw any conclusions, but here is a look at Friday's starting pitchers so far this season.
| Wilson | Darvish | |
| 41.1 | Innings | 39.0 |
| 4-2 | W-L | 4-1 |
| 15 | Walks | 21 |
| 39 | Strikeouts | 44 |
| 3 | Home Runs | 2 |
| 2.61 | ERA | 2.54 |
| 3.24 | FIP | 3.21 |
| 3.45 | xFIP | 3.52 |
| 1.040 | WHIP | 1.462 |
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