The Texas Rangers have suddenly struggled after a quick 14-4 start In the first weeks of baseball. They find themselves only 4.5 games above the Los Angeles Angels, who have been playing better baseball as of late. 

Their run production has been consistent in the last few games. They are amongst the top teams in runs scored and hits, but so far in the June they have struggled.

In May, the Rangers had the best batting average and most hits in the Majors. They were third in hits and fourth in homeruns. Their pitching however, was not as successful. 

They went 14-14 and their ERA was 4.30, which ranked them 11th worst in the Majors. They gave up 120 earned runs, tying them 10th worst in MLB and the gave up a whopping 40 homeruns in the month of May, which was the 2nd highest given up by a pitching staff.

We know the Angels are missing their ace, Jered Weaver, who has been out since last week after an apparent back injury. Their slugger Albert Pujols has showed signs of life in recent games. 

He went deep eight times in the month of May, but even more important than Pujols' revival, the Angels' pitching staff went on a tear.

They won 18 games in the month of May and sported the best ERA in the Majors at 2.99 as they only allowed 87 runs. They also held opponents to a .216 batting average and had a 1.16 WHIP, both lowest in the Majors.

The Angels managed to take two out of three from the Rangers in their first games of the month of June, which is always a great way to begin the month. 

There was more good news following a successful weekend series.

Last night their youngster Garrett Richards, who was designated to replace Weaver, pitched seven innings of one-run ball. He finished the night with eight strikeouts and walked two batters. Richards is only 24 and looks to be a solid pitcher after a stellar outing. 

The Rangers managed to defeat the Oakland Athletics, 6-3. Had they lost, their lead would have thinned down to 3.5.

With plenty of more baseball left to play, the Rangers' struggles have made the AL West a division to watch. 

Can Pujols' bring back the Angels and lead them into the postseason? Will the Rangers pitching strengthen and be able to hold off the charging Angels? 

It will be an intriguing race in the West.