ANAHEIM, Calif. (July 8, 2025) — The Texas Rangers (44-47) return to Angel Stadium on Tuesday night aiming to even the series against the Los Angeles Angels (44-46), following a heartbreaking 6-5 walk-off loss in the series opener. With both clubs battling for momentum in a tightly packed American League race, every game has playoff implications, and Tuesday’s matchup is no exception.
Game 2 of the series will spotlight two teams fighting to stay relevant in the Wild Card conversation, though each is trending in slightly different directions. The Angels enter the contest with renewed confidence after Monday’s late-inning drama, while the Rangers must recover quickly from a game that slipped away despite a solid offensive performance.
Angels’ Offense Awakens at the Right Time
Monday’s victory was a rare showcase of balance for the Angels, who have been inconsistent at the plate for much of the season. Seven players recorded hits, helping the team reach double digits in hits (10) — a benchmark Los Angeles has struggled to hit regularly this year.
Veteran catcher Travis d’Arnaud was the spark plug, launching a two-run homer in the second inning off Jacob deGrom and finishing with three RBIs. His bat provided the early lift the Angels needed to keep pace with the Rangers’ own offensive output.
The win also moved the Angels one game ahead of the Rangers in the standings and gave them their 23rd home win of the season (23-20 at Angel Stadium). It also marked a significant morale boost, as they managed to rough up deGrom — a rarity across the league.
Texas Searching for Road Stability
The Rangers, now 18-28 away from Globe Life Field, continue to wrestle with road struggles that have plagued them all season. Despite Corey Seager’s 19th home run of the year and a three-hit game from Josh Smith, Texas couldn’t hold onto multiple leads.
DeGrom, typically one of the most reliable arms in baseball, lasted just 5.2 innings and surrendered five earned runs, including the crucial homer to d’Arnaud. While he struck out six, his command wavered in key moments. The bullpen then faltered late, culminating in Hoby Milner issuing a bases-loaded walk to Nolan Schanuel to seal the loss.
Offensively, Texas did plenty to stay in the game. Five runs, two home runs, and a couple of timely doubles should have been enough — and usually are. But the inability to deliver in high-leverage pitching situations looms large.
Probable Pitching Matchup
Tuesday’s game will feature right-hander Nathan Eovaldi (6-6, 3.91 ERA) for Texas against left-hander Patrick Sandoval (4-7, 4.45 ERA) for the Angels.
Eovaldi has been solid, if not spectacular, across his last five starts, posting a 3.50 ERA during that stretch. He’ll be tasked with slowing down an Angels lineup that finally looked in rhythm on Monday night.
Sandoval, meanwhile, is seeking greater consistency. His ERA has hovered in the mid-4s, and he’s struggled with command at times, walking 38 in 89 innings. However, the lefty has pitched much better at home, with a 3.60 ERA at Angel Stadium.
Key to the Game
For the Rangers, the key will be the bullpen. The late-inning collapse on Monday continues a troubling trend for a Texas relief corps that ranks in the bottom third of the league in ERA. The offense is producing enough to win games, but if the bullpen can’t protect leads, the Rangers will continue to lose ground in the standings.
The Angels, on the other hand, need to keep building on Monday’s offensive momentum. If hitters like d’Arnaud, Schanuel, and Luis Rengifo can stay hot, they’ll give their starter breathing room and avoid another tightrope finish.
What’s at Stake
Tuesday’s result will determine who takes the edge in this midseason series between two evenly matched clubs. For the Rangers, it’s a chance to stop the slide and reclaim .500. For the Angels, it’s about proving they can be more than just spoiler and continue their climb toward contention.
First pitch is scheduled for 8:38 p.m. CT in Anaheim.
