ANAHEIM, Calif. (July 9, 2025) — The Texas Rangers (45-47) and Los Angeles Angels (44-47) are set to square off Wednesday night at Angel Stadium in the rubber match of their three-game set. First pitch is scheduled for 8:38 p.m. CST, with two pitchers searching for consistency — Kumar Rocker for the Rangers and veteran Kyle Hendricks for the Angels — taking the mound in what has become a pivotal midseason clash for two AL West squads trying to stay within striking distance of playoff contention.
Texas enters the game with a slim edge in the standings, currently holding third place in the division, just ahead of Los Angeles. The Rangers have controlled the season series so far, winning four of the first five meetings, but the Angels closed the gap with a dramatic walk-off win in the opener before getting pummeled in Tuesday’s 13-1 loss.
Pitching Matchup: Rocker vs. Hendricks
The Rangers will turn to rookie right-hander Kumar Rocker (3-4, 5.80 ERA), who continues to navigate the learning curve of a full big-league season. Rocker has shown flashes of promise with 41 strikeouts across 45 innings but has also struggled with command and pitch efficiency, reflected in his 1.49 WHIP. He’ll face an Angels lineup that can be streaky but explosive when in rhythm — particularly at home, where Los Angeles holds a 21-21 record.
Opposing him is the steady hand of Kyle Hendricks (5-6, 4.68 ERA), a control artist whose precision has been the backbone of his career. While his strikeout numbers (62 in 92.1 innings) are modest, his veteran savvy and ability to change speeds keep hitters off-balance. Hendricks has been more effective of late, stringing together three quality starts in his last five outings, and will look to contain a red-hot Texas offense that erupted for 13 runs Tuesday.
Team Trends and Key Stats
The Rangers are now 19-28 on the road this season and have struggled with consistency outside of Globe Life Field. However, when their bats come alive, Texas is tough to beat. They are 32-9 when out-hitting their opponent, thanks in large part to the power duo of Corey Seager and Marcus Semien. Seager has been especially locked in, hitting .324 (12-for-37) over his last 10 games with five homers and three doubles.
Semien, meanwhile, continues to be the heart of the lineup, adding leadership and versatility. He’s posted 11 doubles, a triple, and nine homers on the year, showing his ability to hit for power and average from the top of the order.
For the Angels, offensive production has been inconsistent, but when they break out, they do so in bunches. The club is 29-8 in games where they score five or more runs, with sluggers Jo Adell and Mike Trout being the key catalysts. Adell leads the team with 19 home runs and 10 doubles, while Trout, despite a quieter stretch recently, still poses a major threat with two homers in his last 10 games.
What’s at Stake
At this point in the season, both clubs are hovering just below .500 and eyeing the Wild Card race with cautious optimism. For Texas, a win would secure a road series victory and push them closer to the .500 mark before returning home. For Los Angeles, it’s a chance to climb back into third place in the division and build momentum ahead of a critical stretch of games.
Both teams are aware that the margin for error is shrinking, and with the All-Star break looming, every game takes on added weight.
Up Next
Following Wednesday’s matchup, the Rangers will travel home for a key series against AL Central contenders, while the Angels stay home to host a surging Seattle Mariners squad. With both teams trying to define their identity heading into the second half of the season, Wednesday’s game could be a tone-setter for what’s to come.
