ARLINGTON, Texas -- The series opener between Texas and the Los Angeles Angels on Monday isnt just a big game for the first-place Rangers.Its also a big deal in Venezuela. The pitching matchup features Texas lefty Martin Perez (10-10, 4.20 ERA) against his countryman, right-hander Jhoulys Chacin (5-8, 5.43 ERA).For Perez though, the game has everything to do with building off his recent success and nothing to do with who his mound opponent is.Perez recorded quality starts in each of his past three outings and is 2-0 with a 1.96 ERA in that span. The start will be his 31st of the season, which is the most of any Texas pitcher and a career high.Perez feels as if he has found his groove after a rough start to the second half of the season.You never have 30 consistent starts, Perez said. I think the first half was good for me. In the second half, Ive faced teams Ive faced before and they know how I pitch and theyve got me. Ive done my adjustment and now I feel great. I just need to continue to throw strikes and attack the zone every time and move the ball and see what happens.One thing that is working well recently for Perez is minimizing damage. In the past, he struggled because of the big inning. He learned from those outings, though, and knows he doesnt have to be perfect every inning to give the Cowboys a chance to win.If I do my job, were going to win, he said. I just want to give my team a chance to win. We dont have time to practice things. Its time to win, and its time to compete. The time for working on things is in spring training. I prepared myself to do this, help my team. I think I did a great job, but I have to stay focused and continue to win.Winning wont be easy against the Angels despite Los Angeles being in last place in the division. The Angels are 8-8 against the Rangers this year, and they have won 20 of their past 35 meetings against Texas.Chacin has been tough on the Rangers, too. He has faced Texas three times this year and has allowed four earned runs in 12 innings. And while Chacin has been bouncing between the bullpen and the rotation, he has excelled in his recent starting action. He has allowed a total of one run in 11 2/3 innings over his past two starts.On Wednesday against the visiting Seattle Mariners, Chacin got an emergency start in place of left-hander Tyler Skaggs, who was scratched because of a sore forearm. In six innings, Chacin gave up just one run on three hits. He didnt walk a batter while striking out five in a 78-pitch outing.Hes doing great, Angels rookie catcher Juan Graterol said of Chacin. Hes always ahead in the count, and he throws everything for strikes.Chacin will take the mound for a last-place Los Angeles team that just beat the playoff hopeful Toronto Blue Jays in consecutive games, 6-1 on Saturday and 4-0 on Sunday. The Angels had lost nine of 10 before those two victories. Cheap Swingman Celtics Jerseys . 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Considering that his team has been without star guard Russell Westbrook and with the free agent departure of sharpshooter Kevin Martin, hes had to carry the majority of the load to not only keep his team afloat but more importantly, at an elite level. Cheap Celtics Jerseys China . -- Matt Kuchar and Harris English ran away with the Franklin Templeton Shootout, shooting a 14-under 58 on Sunday in the final-round scramble to break the tournament course record. Wholesale Celtics Jerseys . Bradwell was scheduled to become a free agent Tuesday. Born and raised in Toronto, Bradwell is entering his sixth CFL season, with all six played for his hometown Argonauts. Kobe Bryant retired in April after 20 years in the league, but that doesnt mean hes done with his past.On Wednesday, Bryant penned an open letter to his 17-year-old self on The Players Tribune, with particular focus on how to treat friends and family.You need to figure out a way to invest in the future of your family and friends, Bryant wrote. I said INVEST. I did not say GIVE.Kobe recently vocalized the rocky relationship he shares with his parents after they attempted to auction off his high school memorabilia.Our relationship is s---, Kobe said to ESPNs Ramona Shelburne last April. I say [to them], Im going to buy you a very nice home, and the response is Thats not good enough? Kobe said. Then youre selling my s---?Bryant did somewhat point the finger at himself for allowing his wealth to [hold his family and friends] back.You will come to understand that you were taking care of them because it made YOU feel good, Bryant wrote. It made YOU happy to see them smiling and without a care in the world -- and that was extremely selfish of you.Although Bryant mentioned that the process of weaning them off lleads to anger, resentment and jealousy from everybody involved, he has also made clear that his two sisters have reconciled with the fact that he has eliminated finance from their relationship.ddddddddddddTheyre very smart, college-educated [women], Bryant wrote. Im really proud of them. They were able to get their own jobs, get their own lives, take care of themselves. Now they have a better sense of self, of who they are as people, instead of being resentful because they were relying on me.Bryant kept his advice to family and finances -- Theres plenty more I could write to you, but at 17, I know you dont have the attention span to sit through 2,000 words, he wrote. And while Bryant was addressing himself, its clear the letter was meant as a message for all young athletes who get millions before turning 20.Trust me, Bryant wrote, setting things up right from the beginning will avoid a ton of tears and heartache, some of which remains to this day.Read the full letter here. ' ' '