SoCal MLB Preview

Texas (1-2) at LA Angels (3-1), 7:05 pm

ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) - Dustin Moseley looks to do his part to help out an injury-plagued rotation as the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim host the Texas Rangers in the opener of a three-game series on Friday.

Moseley, who spent most of his 2007 his rookie season in the bullpen, has been given an opportunity to show what he can do as a starter. That is because the Angels rotation is a little scrambled right now. Ace John Lackey is out at least a month with a strained triceps, while No. 2 starter Kelvim Escobar may never pitch again - he has a torn labrum and his future is uncertain. Moseley, coming off elbow surgery, went 4-3 with a 4.40 ERA in 46 games last season. The righthander started eight games, posting a 1-1 mark with a 4.20 ERA. Despite the injuries, the Angels took three of four in their season-opening series with the Minnesota Twins. The rest of the staff has stepped up, allowing just six runs in 28 1/3 innings.

On Thursday Ervin Santana allowed two runs and four hits in six innings, and new acquisition Torii Hunter hit his first home run of the season against his former team as the Angels posted a 5-4 victory.

As for Texas, it is looking to rebound from a 4-1 loss to Seattle on Wednesday. The Rangers, who scored just eight runs in losing two of three to the Mariners, will send Kason Gabbard to the mound. Gabbard, who was acquired from Boston at the trade deadline for Eric Gagne last July, went 6-1 with a 4.65 ERA in 15 starts last season. The 25-year-old lefthander went 2-1 with a 5.58 ERA in eight starts with the Rangers.