ANAHEIM, Calif. -- The first-place Texas Rangers open up a showdown series against the second-place Los Angeles Angels tonight in Southern California. The Rangers send LHP Derek Holland to the mound, while the Angels counter with RHP Jered Weaver. The game starts at 9:05 p.m. on ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM and TXA21. A quick look at the matchup:

Holland (6-4, 4.57): The 25-year-old will be making his third start since missing a month because of a stomach ailment, and he's performed well so far. ... Allowed three earned runs in 13 2/3 innings in his previous two starts. ... Pitched 7 2/3 scoreless innings at Seattle on July 13. ... Had allowed eight runs in 1 2/3 innings in his previous outing against the Mariners, when he was weak from the stomach problem. ... Has a 4-1 record and 2.58 ERA on the road this season. ... Is 5-3, 4.97 in career against the Angels.

Weaver (11-1, 2.26): The 29-year-old three-time All-Star has won his last six starts, one shy of the longest streak of his career. ... Is 6-0 with an 0.58 ERA in seven home starts this season. ... Has never lost to the Rangers in Anaheim, going 7-0 with a 2.23 ERA in 13 starts. ... Allowed eight runs in 3 1/3 innings in his only start against the Rangers this season, on May 13, his only loss of the season. ... Pitched a no-hitter on May 2 against the Twins. ... Won his last start despite allowing five runs in seven innings to the Yankees in New York.

Hitters: Current Angels have hit .299 against Holland. ... Mark Trumbo is 3-for-13. ... Alberto Callaspo is 7 for 18. ... Torii Hunter is 6-for-21 with two homers. ... Current Rangers have hit .256 against Weaver. ... Elvis Andrus is 21-for-49. ... Josh Hamilton is 10-for-37. ... Ian Kinsler is 15-for-65.

Up Next:
Sat. at LA Angels: RHP Yu Darvish (10-6, 3.96) vs. RHP Ervin Santana (4-9, 5.60), 3:05 p.m., ESPN Dallas 103.3/1540/FOX

Sun. at LA Angels: RHP Matt Harison (12-4, 2.87) vs. TBD, 7:05 p.m., ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM/1540 AM/ESPN