I'm not sure about making rotation changes just because we're playing the Angels. Let's say we adjust so that we put our best starters out there, and we lose 2/3 or get swept. Psychologically, that's got to be a boost for the Angels and a burden for the Rangers. It's akin to what Pop does with the Spurs for big (regular season) games: he finds a way to not put some of his best players on the floor. If his team wins, it's a statement. If the other team wins, it's a hollow victory.

I personally don't believe it makes much difference which direction Wash takes the rotation for that series.

That's a defeatist attitude ddan. Saying lets not pitch out best pitchers because they might not win is pure lack of confidence in your teams ability. That attitude will never win anything. Good thing you have no say in the rangers operations.

It's pretty simple to calculate both series & then onto TOR.
With the day off inbetween HOU and LAA, our staff will pitch
in a rotation strength against LAA. You can see it fall into place
throughout even TOR.

Colt, I'm saying that you don't go out of your way to pitch your best pitchers against a division rival early in the season. That's not a defeatist attitude. I'd argue that the defeatist attitude is the one that says we NEED to go out of our way to pitch those guys against LAA, because that (as I pointed out) could do more harm than good. At this point, we don't know which pitchers will be pitching well, who matches up best against the Angels, etc., etc. Some of you are overthinking this.

This whole conversation is a bit premature. It is going to come down to how much confidence the team has in their 5th starter 2.5 months from now. At this point, we don't even know who the leading candidate is.

Not over thinking. Games against division opponents are twice as valuable as games against other teams. When you beat the Angels you add a win in your column and a loss in theirs. I agree it doesn't make sense to get too cute with things, but with the way the schedule sets up this year with off days it would make sense to do some rearranging to give your club the best chance out if the gate. I'd let Perez (or whomever is #5) get some work out of the pen in the first series and then get him ready to start against TB at home Tuesday night.

Yep, it's early, but exciting to think about. Anyone planning on a Surprise, AZ trip?