ANAHEIM, Calif. -- The Texas Rangers and Los Angeles Angels play the rubber match tonight at Angel Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 9:05 p.m. CT on ESPN 103.3 FM. Here's a look at the pitching matchup, featuring Rangers RHP Yu Darvish and Angels LHP Michael Roth.
Darvish (3-1, 2.03 ERA): Struck out 10 and gave up three hits in seven shutout against the Seattle Mariners in his last outing. ... His 38 strikeouts rank first in the American League. ... Darvish has not given up a home run this season. ... Has a 4-1 record and 4.36 ERA in seven career starts against the Angels.
Roth (1-0, 3.60 ERA): Scheduled to make his first career start. ... Gave up a base hit to the only batter he faced on Monday night, Lance Berkman. ... Earned a win in his major league debut on April 13, becoming the first Angels reliever to win his debut since 1983. ... Made one start this season with double-A Arkansas, throwing five shutout innings and striking out three. ... Was the Angels' ninth-round selection in the 2012 amateur draft out of South Carolina, which won the College World Series in 2010 and 2011.
Hitters: Mike Trout (6-for-19, 2 HRs, 4 RBIs and 5 BBs) has been successful against Darvish, while Josh Hamilton went 2-for-3 on April 7 when he faced the Japanese right-hander for the first time. ... Alberto Callaspo (7-for-16) is on the 15-day disabled list because of a right calf strain. ... Howie Kendrick (0-for-12, 5 Ks) and Mark Trumbo (3-for-18) have struggled against Darvish. ... Berkman singled against Roth on Monday. He was the only Texas player Roth faced.
Up next
-- Thursday at Minnesotta Twins: RHP Nick Tepesch (1-1, 3.07) vs. RHP Vance Worley (0-2, 7.11), 7:10 p.m. CT, ESPN-FM 103.3/1540 AM/Fox Sports Southwest
-- Friday at Minnesotta: RHP Justin Grimm (1-0, 2.70) vs. LHP Scott Diamond (1-1, 4.35), 7:10 p.m. CT, ESPN-FM 103.3/1540 AM/TXA21
-- Saturday at Minnesotta: LHP Derek Holland (1-1, 3.25) vs. Pedro Hernandez (0-0, 3.86), 3:10 p.m. CT, ESPN-FM 103.3/1270 AM/Fox Sports Southwest
