May 7: Another Rubber Match Sunday After A's, Angels Get Walk-Off Wins and Mariners Hammer Rangers

So that's why you keep watching. Both the Angels and A's are keeping things interesting in their respective series against teams that look a whole lot better than they do with wins in their last at-bats. The Mariners evened up the series against the Rangers with a seven-run explosion. All five AL West teams play to win a series today. Team notes and links when you click Read More.

Astros (20-11)

The Astros have a chance to put even more daylight between themselves and the Angels today, with Mike Fiers getting another chance to show he can be a solid back of the rotation guy. The Astros bullpen has been knocked around a bit in this series - last night it was the usually unhittable Chris Devenski. 

More on the Astros search for another starter, with the focus on White Sox ace Jose Quintana.

The box.

Angels (16-16)

The Angels send Matt Shoemaker to the mound today to try to get the win in this series. The Halos have offered up what has become their commonplace late-inning heroics against the Astros, with shortstop Andrelton Simmons lighting up the halo last night. A win today would provide the team a big boost heading into next week's road trip to NorCal against the A's.

The Angels did it last night without Mike Trout, who continues to rest his sore hamstring. 


Mariners (14-17)

It feels like the Mariners shouldn't be just three games under .500, but a woeful April has given way to a hopeful May like an old English poem. Despite dropping the first game of this home series to the Troubled Rangers, they won big last night by scoring seven in the 7th and getting a good starting performance from Chase de Jong.  If they win tonight, it'll be just like the season is starting over. Um, two games under .500.

Here's something about Chase de Jong and his lizard brain.

The box. 

Athletics (13-17)

Yeah, that totally happened last night against the Tigers. Here's the video proof. As good as it was to see veterans Adam Rosales and Matt Joyce do something awesome, another hero was young catcher Bruce Maxwell, who came back from an 0-2 count to get a walk against the intimidating  Francisco Rodriguez. As exciting as that was, it would be more exciting for the A's to actually win a series today.

About the Athletics and Shakespeare. What light through Yonder window breaks?

The box.

Rangers (13-18)

Sometimes, it's best to move on. Let's just focus on today, when Andrew Cashner takes the mound and tries the win the series for the Troubled Rangers.Because after today, they play four games against the Padres. That could correct things in a hurry.

The Rangers have many issues, but Martin Perez was not the problem last night.

The box. 

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