Angels vs Rangers Free Pick, MLB Free Picks, MLB Predictions 4/17/25

LA ANGELS @ TEXAS (TEX -150, 9.5)

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ANGELS @ RANGERS 4/17/25

The Angels and Rangers wrap up their three-game series tonight in Texas. The Rangers have won both games so far, winning 4-0 on Tuesday and 3-1 last night. The Angels won a three-game road series against the Tampa Bay Rays last Thursday, defeating them 11-1. Since then, the Angels are 1-4 SU and have managed to score just 10 runs in five games. Los Angeles has allowed 26 runs.

The Angels rank eighth in OPS (.746) and ninth in runs scored per game (4.69). However, the Angels have only slashed.216/.266/.388 with six home runs in 134 at-bats over their last four games. The Angels bullpen has a dismal 9.24 ERA and 7.44 FIP over that time.

Tonight, Jack Kochanowicz is the anticipated starter for LA at Globe Life Field. This season, the 24-year-old right-hander has made three starts (15.2 innings pitched) and is 1-1 with a meager 5.74 ERA and 1.34 WHIP. Kochanowicz gave up six earned runs on seven hits and three walks in 4.2 innings during last Friday's 14-3 loss to the Houston Astros. In 2024, Kochanowicz faced the Rangers twice and was given a loss each time. In 13 innings, he allowed 14 hits, two walks, and six earned runs.

Last week, the Texas Rangers struggled and lost a pair of three-game road series to the Seattle Mariners and the Chicago Cubs. The Rangers were swept by the Mariners (5-3, 9-2, and 3-1) after defeating the Cubs in one of the three games.

In the first game of the Angels series, Tyler Mahle pitched a gem, and the Rangers' offense capitalized on three mistakes. Over their last seven games, the Rangers have struggled at the plate, hitting .237/.273/.384 with six home runs in 232 at-bats. During that time, their bullpen has a 5.63 ERA and a 3.23 FIP.

Kumar Rocker is expected to start on Thursday for Texas. He is 0-2 with a dismal 7.94 ERA and 1.94 WHIP in his three starts (11.1 IP) so far this season. Last Saturday, he pitched 3.1 innings in a losing effort against the Mariners. He gave up two walks, five hits, and four runs (three earned). It's Rocker's first time meeting the Angels.

The Rangers have an advantage in this game because the Angels have never seen Rocker before. The current Rangers are 11-for-36 with a home run and a double against Jack Kochanowicz, who they know well.

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COACH RICK FREE PICK:

GAME TOAL OVER 9.5

There has only been a total of 8 runs scored in the two games played in this series so far. That will change tonight. Jack Kochanowicz has an ERA of 5.74 and is coming off a start in which he gave up 6 ER. Kumar Rocker starts for the Rangers and he sports an ERA of 7.94. His hard hit rate is in the top 5 percent of all MLB starters. Add in the Angels bullpen (6.94 ERA, 29th) and the Over is in business. Two of Kochanowicz’s and two of Rocker’s starts have gone Over the total.