Rangers Open Series in Anaheim Against Angels Behind Red-Hot Josh Smith
ANAHEIM, Calif. (July 7, 2025) – The Texas Rangers hit the road for a four-game set against the Los Angeles Angels beginning Monday night at Angel Stadium, aiming to build momentum in a tightly packed American League playoff picture. First pitch is scheduled for 8:38 p.m. CT, with Josh Smith and the surging Rangers offense preparing to face veteran left-hander Yusei Kikuchi.
Texas (44-46) enters the series looking to bounce back from a 4-1 loss in San Diego that cost them a chance at a series win. Despite the setback, the Rangers have seen a notable offensive surge in recent weeks, largely driven by the bat of utility standout Josh Smith, who continues to deliver in key moments. Smith is hitting .287 with eight home runs and has become one of the club’s most reliable bats amid an injury-hit campaign.
Opposing him on the mound will be Kikuchi (5-5, 4.02 ERA), who has become a stabilizing force for an Angels rotation that has battled inconsistency. Kikuchi’s last outing saw him pitch six innings of two-run ball against Oakland, and the 33-year-old southpaw has generally held opponents in check despite occasional command issues.
The Rangers will counter with right-hander Dane Dunning (6-4, 3.61 ERA), who is coming off a tough-luck no-decision against the Tampa Bay Rays in which he allowed just two earned runs over 6.2 innings. Dunning’s ability to generate ground balls will be tested against a power-laden Angels lineup that features the likes of Taylor Ward, Nolan Schanuel, and the always-dangerous Jo Adell.
Texas remains one of the American League’s top pitching teams, entering Monday with a staff ERA of 3.22 — best in the AL. However, the absence of Jacob deGrom for Monday’s opener means the Rangers will lean on their bullpen more than usual in the opener. deGrom, recently named to the AL All-Star team, is scheduled to start later in the series.
The Rangers’ bullpen, anchored by closer José Leclerc and veteran reliever Shawn Armstrong, has posted a combined 2.87 ERA over the last 10 games, a major improvement from their early-season struggles.
The Angels (39-51) come into the series trying to claw back into postseason contention. After a slow start to the season, they’ve shown signs of life lately, winning five of their last eight. But the challenge for Los Angeles continues to be pitching consistency and offensive production outside their top stars.
One storyline to watch will be the continued emergence of rookie infielder Kyren Paris, who has hit safely in seven of his last 10 games and brought new energy to the middle infield. For Texas, outfielder Wyatt Langford continues to shine in his rookie campaign, boasting a .295 average with 11 home runs and 38 RBIs.
Monday’s matchup will also be a homecoming of sorts for Rangers manager Bruce Bochy, who managed his 2,100th career game last week and still receives admiration from Southern California baseball fans for his tenure with the Padres and Giants.
Key Matchup: Smith vs. Kikuchi
Smith, a left-handed hitter, has surprisingly held his own against lefty pitching this season (.280 average), and his matchup with Kikuchi could dictate the tone early. Expect Bochy to stack the lineup with right-handed bats such as Langford, Adolis García, and Jonah Heim to exploit any vulnerability from Kikuchi’s slider-heavy arsenal.
What’s Next
Following the series opener, the Rangers and Angels will continue the four-game series through Thursday before the All-Star break. With division leaders pulling away, both teams recognize the urgency of this midseason clash.
Texas, just one game out of a Wild Card spot, looks to keep pace in a loaded AL race. For the Angels, every series now feels like a must-win as they fight to keep playoff hopes alive. Monday’s opener could set the tone for what may be a season-defining week for both clubs.
