The bigger story for the Angels might be who's standing in the batter's box. Mike Trout has been sidelined since mid-June with a hamstring strain, and this Rangers series was the target date he circled for a possible return. If he's back in the lineup, it's the first real jolt of life this Angels offense has had in weeks — a group that just got shut down repeatedly by Boston's staff during the current skid.
Texas isn't exactly rolling out a full-strength roster either. Seager, their $325 million shortstop, is dealing with lower-back inflammation for the third IL stint of his season, and Wyatt Langford is out through the All-Star break with a hamstring issue of his own. The Rangers have gotten by on pitching and just enough offense, going 2-3 over their last five with a lopsided 10-4 win over Detroit sandwiched between two quiet losses.
Neither team is playing for much beyond pride and roster health at this point in July, but Texas at home with a healthier lineup and a deeper bullpen still profiles as the safer bet against an Angels club trying to find any signs of life. Whether Trout suits up or not, Los Angeles needs length from Ureña and some timely hits — because right now, nothing's coming easy.