Los Angeles @ Detroit preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 18, 2012 ) LA Angels 2, Detroit 7

The Los Angeles Angels' first test after the All-Star break was a difficult one - seven road games against the hard-hitting New York Yankees and Detroit Tigers. They'll look to end the trek with a winning record as they tangle with the Tigers on Thursday in the finale of a four-game set at Comerica Park. Detroit has taken two of three so far, including an impressive 7-2 win Wednesday. The Tigers seek their third straight series victory as they sit 2 1/2 games back of Chicago atop the AL Central.

The teams have taken turns showing off their offensive prowess, with Detroit sandwiching a pair of impressive hitting efforts around a 13-0 Angels victory on Tuesday. Los Angeles sends right-hander Jerome Williams to the hill in hopes he can tame the Tiger bats - and end a personal four-game losing streak in the process. Detroit counters with hard-throwing righty Max Scherzer. The Angels, who have alternated wins and losses on the trip, return home for six games beginning Friday against rival Texas.

TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, FSW (Los Angeles), FSD (Detroit)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels RH Jerome Williams (6-6, 4.67 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Max Scherzer (8-5, 4.84)

Williams has struggled mightily after opening the season as one of the Angels' best starters. The burly 30-year-old has posted an unsightly 7.54 ERA over his last four starts, and was roughed up for five runs against the Yankees over the weekend in his first start since returning from a stint on the disabled list. Williams has been particularly ineffective away from Angel Stadium, going 1-4 with a 5.94 ERA in seven appearances, including six starts. Seven of the nine home runs he has allowed have come on the road.

Scherzer was red-hot going into the All-Star break but didn't look as good in his previous outing, taking a no-decision after surrendering four runs in five innings against Baltimore. Prior to that start, the soon-to-be 28-year-old had allowed just six runs over his previous four appearances. Scherzer has faced the Angels just once in his career, and it was a start he'd rather forget as he allowed three runs on eight hits over 4 1/3 frames. His 125 strikeouts rank him third in the American League.

WALK-OFFS

1. Angels rookie OF Mike Trout has scored a run in 10 straight games, three off the franchise record set by Jim Edmonds in 1995. Trout leads the American League with a .351 batting average.
2. Angels 1B Albert Pujols has four home runs in the last seven games.

3. Tigers 1B Prince Fielder is hitting .353 with 15 RBIs in 14 July games.