ARLINGTON, Texas – Garrett Richards may have pitched with a chip on his shoulder from his All-Star Game snub on Friday night.

And now he may end up making it anyway.

After Richards had finished pitching seven dominant innings in the Angels’ 3-0 victory over the Texas Rangers on Friday night, the Tampa Bay Rays scratched All-Star David Price from his scheduled start Saturday because of illness.

The Rays are hoping Price can pitch Sunday. If he does, he would not be eligible to pitch in Tuesday’s All-Star Game, and he’d have to be replaced.

For now, though, Richards remains The Best Pitcher Not To Be an All-Star, which may be serving as a little extra motivation.

Richards, who improved to 11-2 with a 2.55 ERA, was asked point blank if he pitched “with a chip on his shoulder.”

“Of course,” he said. “I’ve been doing the same thing all year, and I’m going to continue doing the same thing. I’ll probably end up carrying that the whole year, to be honest with you. It might be some motivation for the whole year.”

That would suit the Angels just fine. Whatever it takes to keep Richards doing what he’s been doing, particularly during a blistering six-week stretch. He’s 7-0 with a 1.27 ERA during his past eight starts.

On Friday night, he gave up five singles and two walks. The Rangers had at least one base runner in six of his seven innings, but he escaped unscathed with the help of eight strikeouts.

“When you look at the line score, it looks like seven zeroes, but he had to work out of some trouble and make some pitches,” Manager Mike Scioscia said. “He made some key pitches in some tough situations.”

Catcher Hank Conger said Richards had some of his best stuff of the year, but he figured it was from the normal edge he brings to the mound, always feeling as if he has something to prove.

“Even going back to a couple years ago,” Conger said, “he’s always wanted to start, and everyone knew that. He comes out every time thinking, ‘This is a very important start.’”

Mike Trout, whose 22nd homer gave Richards all the support he needed Friday, said he’s disappointed his housemate isn’t joining him – not yet anyway – in Minnesota.

“We were all pushing for him to go,” Trout said. “He’s going to turn the page and come back in the second half ready to go.”

Contact the writer: jlfletcher@ocregister.com