SoCal MLB Preview

LA Angels (54-35) at Texas (46-44), 5:05 pm

ARLINGTON, Texas (Ticker) -- Joe Saunders will try to slow down the potent Texas Rangers lineup on Tuesday when he takes the mound for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Ervin Santana, who - along with Saunders - was selected to his first All-Star Game on Sunday, collected his 10th win of the season in Monday's series opener, but not before surrendering six runs and 10 hits as Texas nearly rallied from an 8-0 second-inning deficit. If Saunders (12-4, 3.04 ERA) can duplicate Santana's result, he would - at the very least - keep pace with Arizona's Brandon Webb (12-4), who will also be eyeing his 13th win when he takes the mound vs. Washington. The lefthander recorded his third win over his last four starts in Wednesday's 7-4 victory over Oakland after allowing four runs - two earned - and six hits with five strikeouts over 6 1/3 innings. Saunders stands a great chance at winning No. 13 if he can maintain his success on the road, where he is 6-2 with a 2.05 ERA this season. Standing in his way will be Matt Harrison, who will be making his major league debut after being acquired at the trade deadline last season in the deal that sent Mark Teixeira to Atlanta. The 22-year-old lefthander has split time between Class AA Frisco and Class AAA Oklahoma this season, going a combined 6-3 with a 3.43 ERA in 15 starts.

Atlanta (42-48) at LA Dodgers (44-45), 7:10 pm

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- One day after Hiroki Kuroda tossed a one-hit gem, the Atlanta Braves will have to figure out how to manage some offense against the Los Angeles Dodgers' hottest pitcher, Chad Billingsley. Billingsley will try to keep the Dodgers rolling in July on Tuesday when they they continue their three-game set against the Braves. Los Angeles defeated Atlanta, 3-0, in Monday's series opener behind Kuroda's one-hitter as Los Angeles won for the sixth time in seven games this month. The 33-year-old Japanese righthander took a perfect game into the eighth inning before Mark Teixeira - the only Atlanta baserunner - opened the eighth with a double. Even though it will be tough to follow such an act, Billingsley (8-7, 3.12 ERA) is likely the most likely to repeat such a performance as he will aiming for his fifth win in as many starts. The 23-year-old righthander has been particularly sharp lately, striking out 25 over 26.1 innings over his last four outings for a 1.37 ERA. In his last start, Billingsley yielded two unearned runs and six hits over eight innings, striking out five in a 5-2 win at Houston on Thursday. Atlanta will counter with rookie Jair Jurrjens (8-4, 3.09), who will look to rebound from his first loss in nine starts. The righthander surrendered four runs - including a season-worst three homers - and eight hits over seven frames in Thursday's 4-1 loss vs. Philadelphia.