ARLINGTON, Texas -- After struggling in the first two games of this series, the Texas Rangers will be eager to make some headway against the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday night. The third game of this four-game series between AL West rivals features RHP Yu Darvish vs. RHP Garrett Richards. First pitch is at 7:05 p.m. on ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM/1540 AM/FSSW. A quick look at the matchup:

Darvish (11-7, 4.05): The 25-year-old and 2012 All-Star is fresh off his first professional loss when receiving four or more runs of support, a 9-5 loss to the Chicago White Sox on Friday. ... He has 138 strikeouts on the season, the fifth-most in the AL and the most in Rangers history through 19 games. ... He also ranks among AL leaders in strikeouts per-9 (second, 10.15), wins (tied-fifth, 11) and opponent's average (seventh, .230) and leads all AL rookies in wins and strikeouts. ... He is third in the AL with 64 walks and tied for fourth in hit batters with nine. ... He leads the majors with six double-digit strikeout games, including four out of his last seven starts. ... He is 2-1 with a 3.38 ERA in 18 2/3 innings pitched against the Angels, striking out 25 and issuing 10 walks. ... He is 7-2 at Rangers Ballpark, having lost his last two home starts.

Richards (3-2, 3.91): The 24-year-old will make his ninth start this season pitching in place of Dan Haren, who is battling another bout of back stiffness. ... He has 3.31 ERA and a 1-1 record in three road starts (16 1/3 innings). ... He was 1-1 in three starts in the July with a 6.06 ERA through 16 1/3 innings. ... He is 0-0 with a 1.59 ERA in 5 2/3 innings against the Rangers. ... He took a no-decision in his last start against the Rangers, a 3-1 loss on Sept. 28, 2011, going five innings and allowing two hits (one home run), one run and three walks while striking out one.

Hitters: Darvish has held the Angels to a .174 batting average. ... Mike Trout is 4-for-9 with a double, a home run, three RBIs, two walks and two strikeouts. ... Albert Pujols is 1-for-8 with two walks and two strikeouts. ... Alberto Callaspo is 3-for-6 with an RBI and a walk. ... Kendrys Morales is 0-for-6 with four strikeouts. ... Rangers hitters are 4-for-18 against Richards. ... Michael Young is 1-for-3. ... Ian Kinsler is 1-for-2 with a double and a walk. ... Mike Napoli is 1-for-1 with a home run with a walk. ... Josh Hamilton is 0-for-3.

Up next: Thur. vs. LAA: RHP Ryan Dempster (5-5, 2.25) vs. LHP C.J. Wilson (9-7, 2.88), 7:05 p.m., ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM/1540 AM/FSSW.