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Rangers-Angels Preview

Oct 1, 2009 - 6:38 AM By KATE HEDLIN STATS Writer

Texas (85-73) at Los Angeles (94-64), 6:05 p.m. EDT

The Los Angeles Angels were struggling to put together a five-man rotation in April. They begin October preparing one of the most effective pitching staffs in the majors for the playoffs.

Los Angeles looks to win its fifth straight Thursday night when it closes a four-game series with the Texas Rangers.

The Angels (94-64) won 5-0 Wednesday, shutting the Rangers (85-73) out for the second time in this series and third time this season. Texas has failed to score in 13 games this year.

Matt Palmer and four relievers combined on a one-hitter in the latest whitewash of the Rangers. Palmer was starting in place of 15-game winner Jered Weaver, who was scratched in preparation for the postseason.

Angels starters are 4-0 with a 1.80 ERA during the club's winning streak. The rotation, which had four starters on the disabled list in April and was struggling to find options in the minors following the untimely death of Nick Adenhart, has 67 wins to tie Texas' starters for second in the majors and one fewer than St. Louis.

It helps knowing the pitching staff has such a potent lineup behind them. The Angels have tied the franchise record for most runs in a season with 866, equaling the total they had in 1979.

"Our lineup's clicking," catcher Mike Napoli said. "It's a good feeling, having people up there who can get the job done."

The lineup will try to provide John Lackey (11-8, 3.77 ERA) with similar support when he takes the hill Thursday.

Lackey, who won 19 games in 2007, was hoping to get back on track after starting only 24 games in 2008 because of a right triceps strain. Instead, he began the year on the disabled list with right elbow inflammation.

He's struggled in his last two starts, allowing 11 runs over 11 innings. The right-hander gave up six runs and 10 hits in five innings of a 15-10 loss to Oakland on Saturday, although he did not factor in the decision.

Lackey is 1-2 with a 6.75 ERA against Texas this year, but will face a short-handed Rangers team that has lost four in a row and 12 of 17, scoring three or fewer runs in 11 of those games.

"Obviously, it's tough, knowing that our chance to make the playoffs is finished. That's difficult to deal with and accept, without a doubt. But we have four games left, so we've got to be professionals and still go out and play to win," All-Star third baseman Michael Young said.

Young is one of only a few healthy players for Texas, which shut down Josh Hamilton on Tuesday. Center fielder Marlon Byrd (strained right hip) sat out Wednesday while Hank Blalock left the game after sustaining a concussion and Nelson Cruz departed early with a sprained right ankle.

The Rangers will conclude the series by handing the ball to Kevin Millwood (12-10, 3.75), who is looking to win his third straight start. He gave up three runs and seven hits in seven innings of a 15-3 win over Tampa Bay on Saturday.

The right-hander is 1-1 with a 6.56 ERA in four starts against the Angels this year. Vladimir Guerrero - who went 0 for 3 Wednesday to drop his average to .293 - is 7 for 9 against Millwood this year.