MLB Baseball
2026-08-23 - Los Angeles Angels at Texas Rangers
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States : Major League Baseball
Sunday 23rd August 2026 - Scheduled 2:35pm EST
7:35m (British Time)
Preview
The upset win on Saturday has helped the Los Angeles Angels (52-78) level up this series and they will be bidding to play spoiler for American League West rivals Texas Rangers (64-66) before both head off into different series.
Playoff Baseball is not on the mind of the Los Angeles Angels, but the Texas Rangers are desperately trying to force their way back into the post-season. They are a game behind in the Division after Saturday night and the Rangers are only edging a tie-breaker to retain control of a Wild Card spot, although noting that there a bunch of rivals vying for a top three finish in those Wild Card standings.
Bouncing back is the key for the Rangers after failing to score a run on Saturday and they will hand the ball to Cal Quantrill and hope the veteran can lay a solid foundation from which to win this game and series. The veteran has a 5-4 record and 3.13 ERA in twenty-six appearances in 2026, but only nine have been in starts for a pitcher who had been a big part of any starting rotation before his 2025 struggles.
There have been moments when Cal Quantrill has struggled, but in the main he has to be happy with the performances he has been able to produce for the Texas Rangers in recent outings. He has a 2-1 record in his last five appearances and a 1.11 ERA, which is more impressive when you note that Cal Quantrill has thrown over 24 Innings in that time.
Earlier this month, Cal Quantrill threw 5 Innings and allowed a single run in a start against the Los Angeles Angels, while earlier in the season he threw 3 relief Innings without giving up a run against this American League West rival.
The Angels are going to be handing the ball to Yusei Kikuchi who has been playing in the Minor League as he recovers from an injury that has seen him miss several months of action. This is going to be the eighth start of the season for a pitcher who made thirty-three starts in 2025 and Yusei Kikuchi has a 0-3 record and 5.81 ERA.
Yusei Kikuchi has not pitched in the Major League since the end of April and his recent Minor League outings have not been the most impressive. The expectation is that he will be called up to start this game, although the Los Angeles Angels may have Kikuchi on a relatively short leash.
This will be the first time Yusei Kikuchi has faced the Texas Rangers this season, but his last start in this ballpark ended after 4 Innings and with six runs allowed as he absorbed the decision loss in August 2025.
Despite the poor overall record, the Los Angeles Angels have won the season series with the Texas Rangers having taken eight of the twelve games played.
Prediction
Both starting pitchers have something to prove through the final five weeks of the regular season, but Cal Quantrill has the obvious momentum.
Yusei Kikuchi is making his return to the Major League for the first time in almost four months and his lack of success in recent Minor League assignments is a concern.
The Los Angeles Angels will be happy with how the bullpen is performing, but Kikuchi may have to take a couple of hard hits first and Texas Rangers can scramble to a series win.
The Pick :
Texas Rangers 5-4 Los Angeles Angels
