Los Angeles @ New York preview
Yankee Stadium
Last Meeting ( Jul 13, 2012 ) LA Angels 5, NY Yankees 6
If the Los Angeles Angels or New York Yankees end up in close playoff races at the end of the season, they might look back on Friday's series opener as a big key. The Yankees got to the Angels' vaunted bullpen in the opener, scoring four runs in the eighth to rally for a 6-5 win and preserve the best record in the majors at 53-33. They're eight games clear of Baltimore in the American League East and will look to right-hander Freddy Garcia to continue his strong pitching against Los Angeles.
The Angels, who are 5-14 all-time at the new Yankee Stadium, are expected to activate right-hander Jerome Williams to make the start. Williams has faced the Yankees just once, getting hit for five runs in 2 2/3 innings in a loss April 15 in New York.
TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, Fox Sports West (Los Angeles), YES (New York)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels RH Jerome Williams (6-5, 4.46 ERA) vs. Yankees RH Freddy Garcia (3-2, 5.23)
Williams is expected to make his first major-league start since June 18 after a stint on the DL because of asthma attacks. Williams made two rehab starts at Triple-A Salt Lake and pitched well in his last outing, allowing two earned runs in six innings with seven strikeouts. He has lost his last three major-league starts dating to June 1.
Garcia will make his third start since leaving the bullpen and rejoining the rotation July 2. He has not allowed more than two runs in either of his last two outings and was especially sharp last Saturday at Boston, allowing just one run over 6 2/3 innings in a 6-1 win. Garcia has dominated the Angels, going 15-3 with a 2.59 ERA in 27 starts against them. He hasn't lost to Los Angeles since 2004.
WALK-OFFS
1. Yankees 2B Robinson Cano, whose 16-game hitting streak is tied for the longest active streak in the majors, singled and walked in two plate appearances against Williams earlier this season.
2. Despite Garcia's success against the Angels, their current roster is a collective 34-for-99 (.343) against him with six home runs. Torii Hunter (19-for-48, 4 HR) has the best track record, but Howie Kendrick (5-for-8, HR) and Erick Aybar (4-for-6) have enjoyed success in a limited sample.
3. Angels OF Mark Trumbo has homered in his last five games against the Yankees.