Los Angeles @ Cleveland preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 29, 2012 ) LA Angels 0, Cleveland 4

The Cleveland Indians kick off a six-game homestand heading with a three-game series against the Los Angeles Angels. The Indians, who are 1½ games behind the Chicago White Sox in the American League Central, concluded their 4-6 road trip by scoring 32 runs in taking three of four at Baltimore. Cleveland, though, will be facing a different caliber of pitcher in All-Star Jered Weaver, who has won two straight since coming off the disabled list.

The Angels are 4-2 on their nine-game road trip after salvaging a split of a four-game series with a 10-6 victory over Toronto on Sunday. They are 5½ games behind the Texas Rangers in the American League West, but are first in the AL wild-card race. This is Los Angeles’ second trip to Cleveland this season – the Indians won two of three in April.

Los Angeles rookie Mike Trout, who is emerging as a strong AL MVP candidate, went 2-for-4 with a homer Sunday and leads the AL in batting with a .339 average.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FS West (Los Angeles), STO (Cleveland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels RH Jered Weaver (8-1, 2.31 ERA) vs. Indians RH Ubaldo Jimenez (7-6, 4.69)

Weaver allowed one run, six hits and struck out six in 6 2/3 innings in Los Angeles’ 13-1 victory at Baltimore on Wednesday. He is 5-2 in 13 starts against the Indians, including a no-decision after he pitched six scoreless innings and allowed seven runs, four walks and struck out eight in a 3-2 loss at Cleveland on April 27. The Indians’ roster is hitting .232 against him, with Shin-Soo Choo 11-for-25 (five doubles) and Asdrubal Cabrera 6-for-27.

Jimenez, who had a 2.78 ERA in five June starts, went only 2-2 to show for it. He allowed four runs, four hits and walked four in six innings in his last outing, a 5-4 loss at the New York Yankees on Wednesday. He lost his only career start against the Angels in 2009 while pitching for Colorado. The Los Angeles roster is hitting .258 against him, with Albert Pujols 4-for-15 (double, five RBIs).

WALK-OFFS:

1. Four Angels – Mark Trumbo, left-hander C.J. Wilson, Trout and Weaver – were named to the American League All-Star team Sunday. Cleveland will be represented by shortstop Cabrera and closer Chris Perez. Los Angeles reliever Ernesto Frieri is one of five players on the ballot for the 34th man vote.

2. Cleveland catcher Carlos Santana missed the last four games with a back injury and is day-to-day.

3. Trout has scored 51 runs in 236 at-bats, 10 off the major league lead held by Texas’ Ian Kinsler, who has 337 at-bats.