The set-up: The Los Angeles Angels finished 80-82 in 2017, 21 games back of the first-place Houston Astros in the AL West, a team which would go on to capture last year's World Series title. The Angels would end the season 22nd in runs scored and ranked just 28th (of 30 teams) in team batting average in 2017. Of course, Mike Trout missed 48 games. The team's demise gave management plenty of motivation to make a late August trade for Justin Upton (re-signing him in the off-season) and to sign Zack Cozart in December. That duo was expected to fortify the top of LA's batting order and the early returns suggest the vision to protect Mike Trout was right on target. Cozart has scored a run in five straight games and Upton owns a team-leading nine RBI. The Angels lead the majors with 68 runs scored and pace the American League in batting average (.270), despite a slow start from two-time AL MVP Trout. Los Angeles is 8-3 after 11 games for the first time in 31 years, after last night's 8-3 win. It figured to be tough 2018 season for Texas and the Rangers have opened 4-8, including a poor 2-6 record at home. They have yet to win consecutive games after falling 8-3 in Monday's series opener. To make matters worse, Texas watched second baseman Rougned Odor leave in the first inning with a left hamstring strain.

The pitching matchup: A pair of lefties square off tonight, Tyler Skaggs (1-0, 1.64 ERA) takes the mound for LA and he'll be opposed by the Rangers' Martin Perez (1-0, 5.06 ERA). Skaggs struck out five over 4 2/3 innings but needed 103 pitches to do so in Wednesday's no-decision at home against Cleveland, which reached him for two runs on five hits and two walks. The lefty was dominant in his season debut on March 30, permitting only three singles while striking out five over 6 1/3 scoreless frames in a win at Oakland. The Angels are 2-0 in Skaggs' first two starts of 2018, but he went 0-1 with a 7.79 ERA in four starts versus the Rangers last season (Angels were 2-2). Perez received some early run support and managed to do just enough to get the victory Thursday at Oakland, allowing three runs and 10 hits in 5 1/3 innings while recording only one strikeout. This makes his second start of 2018 and it's a fact that he has been much more successful at home throughout his career (26-19, 4.18 ERA) than on the road (16-23, 4.73). Perez went 2-1 with a 3.38 ERA in three starts versus the Angels last season, getting both wins over a 10-day span from Aug. 24-Sept.3.

The pick: Eleven games into the 2018 season, the Los Angeles Angels look as if they will have a team that can contend for the American League West while conversely, the Texas Rangers have more questions than answers. The two teams meet on Tuesday at Globe Life Park in Arlington, Texas, for the second game of their three-game series. It's true that Perez has a better history against the Angels than Skaggs has against the Rangers but the Angels are currently just the way better team. LA is averaging 6.18 RPG, while Texas averages only 3.42 plus is allowing 4.82 RPG, including 5.75 RPG here at Globe Life Park. Make the Angels a 10* play.