Just two games back in the AL Wild Card race, the Los Angeles Angels are in desperate need of victories as they hit the final stretch of their season. They'll certainly have their hands full Friday night as they take on the first-place Texas Rangers down in Arlington.
Jered Weaver (19-4, 2.74 ERA) gets the start for the Angels tonight. He tossed 6⅓ innings of one-run ball against theChicago White Sox in his last outing, and has won his previous three starts against Texas. Weaver earned his 100th career win in his last start against them on Sept. 18, giving up three runs in seven innings of work.
Texas will counter with Ryan Dempster (7-2, 4.48), who threw 6⅔ innings of two-run ball in his last start against the Seattle Mariners. He's won seven of the 10 starts he's had since being traded from the Chicago Cubs at the July trade deadline.
The Rangers' magic number to clinch the AL West is down to three.
First pitch is set for 5:05 p.m. PT with coverage on Fox Sports West and KLAA 830 AM.