MLB Baseball
2026-08-22 - Los Angeles Angels at Texas Rangers
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States : Major League Baseball
Saturday 22nd August 2026 - Scheduled 7:05pm EST
12:05am (British Time)
Preview
There is still the assumption that to finish in the Wild Card places in the American League that a winning record will be needed, but there is also an increasing feeling that it may not be the case in 2026. The Texas Rangers (64-65) continue hosting this series against a struggling Divisional rival and the win on Friday means they are a game under 0.500 but still occupying the third Wild Card spot in the American League and only a game behind the Houston Astros within the Division.
A host of contenders are lining up behind the Rangers in the Wild Card race and so the ambition remains to win the American League West and let the rivals worry about the final standings.
The Rangers narrowly won the opening game of this three game set and snapped a three game losing run to the Los Angeles Angels (51-78). Only two teams have won fewer games than the Angels this season, but the sweep of the Rangers earlier this month means Los Angeles have won six of the last ten games as they continue to try and play spoiler for others.
Los Angeles Angels will give the ball to Ryan Johnson on Saturday and the sophomore Major League pitcher has a 2-7 record and 6.41 ERA in fifteen appearances this season. Twelve have been in starts as the Angeles continue to analyse the roster and this will be the twelfth start in a row after Johnson came out of the bullpen for a handful of appearances.
Recent outings have been encouraging.
Ryan Johnson does have a 0-1 record in August from three starts, but also has a 2.51 ERA, although the young pitcher would like to show a bit better command on the mound. His pitch count has gotten too high and it has meant he has not been able to complete 6 Innings more than once this season, but Ryan Johnson will still take confidence of having restricted the Texas Rangers to a single run into the 5th Inning earlier this month.
The Rangers will counter by handing the ball to Cody Bradford who missed the entirety of 2025 with an injury and has only just recently returned to action. Cody Bradford has a 0-1 record in the three starts made in August, but a 2.93 ERA offers encouragement for the team about what he may be able to offer them down the stretch.
The longest outing on the return has been pitching 7 Innings against the Los Angeles Angels when Cody Bradford allowed three runs, but the other two starts have both concluded before the end of the 5th Inning. Last time out, Cody Bradford gave up two runs in 4 Innings thrown against the Athletics.
Prediction
There is some uncertainty about Cody Bradford as he continues to try and find his rhythm after a long layoff, but there have been positive signs.
The Texas Rangers will need Bradford at something like his best if they are going to win this game and especially if Ryan Johnson continues performing at his recent level for the Los Angeles Angels.
Both pitchers may lay a solid foundation, but both are likely to be withdrawn pretty early and that will give the batters an opportunity to get after the bullpens.
It may be a situation that gives the road team an edge and they look a very big price for the upset.
The Pick :
Texas Rangers 2-3 Los Angeles Angels
