Los Angeles @ Cleveland preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 2, 2012 ) LA Angels 3, Cleveland 0

With one of the best pitching staffs in baseball and a lineup including Albert Pujols and rookie phenom Mike Trout, the Los Angeles Angels figure to be a big threat to win the World Series. Their ability to win on the road won’t hurt them, either. The Angels will try for their 17th win in their last 20 road games when the meet the Cleveland Indians on Tuesday.

Los Angeles’ Dan Haren has won his last two starts despite allowing 11 runs in as many innings. He will oppose Cleveland’s Zach McAllister, who made a triumphant return from Triple-A Columbus with a victory over the Orioles on Thursday.

The Angels, who have won 27 of their last 37 games, are still trying to recover from an 18-25 start as they trail the Texas Rangers by five games in the American League West. But with 13 games remaining against Texas – and half a season to go – the all-important division title is very much up for grabs.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels RH Dan Haren (6-7, 4.53 ERA) vs. Indians RH Zach McAllister (2-1, 3.82 ERA)

Haren has allowed at least four runs in his last four outings and has recorded only seven quality starts in 16 matches. He yielded six runs in as many innings in his last outing, a 9-7 victory at Toronto on Thursday. Haren is 4-2 with a 3.32 ERA in 11 starts against Cleveland. The Indians’ roster is hitting .212 against him, with Shin-Soo Choo and Asdrubal Cabrera a combined 4-for-31 (nine strikeouts).

McAllister allowed two runs, seven hits and struck out six in 5 2/3 innings in Cleveland’s 7-2 victory at Baltimore, his first major league appearance since May 23. The Indians have won four of his five starts. McAllister has never faced the Angels or any of their batters.

WALK-OFFS

1. Trout didn't start Monday’s 3-0 victory over Cleveland because of an injured right pinkie finger. Trout, who felt discomfort in batting practice, pinch ran for Mark Trumbo in the eighth inning and finished the game in left field.

2. Twenty of the Angels’ games this season have resulted in a shutout. Los Angeles has won 11 of them.

3. Los Angeles has a 3.54 ERA, second in the American League to Oakland (3.49).