Weaver, Wilson to square off in Angels-Rangers series finale

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

Two of baseball’s best pitchers will square off Thursday when Angels right-hander Jered Weaver opposes Texas Rangers left-hander C.J. Wilson in the finale of a three-game series in Angel Stadium.

Weaver, who started the July 12 All-Star game for the American League, is 12-4 with a major league-best 1.90 earned run average. He is the first pitcher since Pedro Martinez in 2000 (13-4, 1.46 ERA) to notch 12 or more victories with a sub-2.00 ERA in his first 20 starts of a season.

Weaver has an 8-5 career record and 3.38 ERA against the Rangers but is 6-0 with a 2.56 ERA in 10 career home starts against Texas.

Wilson, a former Fountain Valley High School standout, is 10-3 with a 3.11 ERA and has won six straight decisions over his last 10 starts, posting a 2.80 ERA in the games. He is 4-3 with a 3.79 ERA against the Angels.

The teams split the first two games of the series, the Rangers winning, 7-0, Tuesday night and the Angels scoring six runs in the sixth inning for a dramatic 9-8, come-from-behind victory Wednesday night.

The Angels lineup: 2B Maicer Izturis, SS Erick Aybar, DH Torii Hunter, RF Vernon Wells, 3B Alberto Callaspo, LF Howie Kendrick, 1B Mark Trumbo, CF Mike Trout, C Jeff Mathis, P Jered Weaver.

The Rangers lineup: 2B Ian Kinsler, SS Elvis Andrus, LF Josh Hamilton, 3B Adrian Beltre, DH Michael Young, RF Nelson Cruz, 1B Mitch Moreland, C Mike Napoli, CF Endy Chavez, P C.J. Wilson.

ALSO:

Angels take a firm step in the right direction

Angels rally to defeat high-flying Rangers, 9-8

-- Mike DiGiovanna