Kansas City @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 24, 2012 ) Kansas City 4, LA Angels 1

The Los Angeles Angels have spent the majority of the season trying to climb back into the American League West race and catch front-running Texas. After Tuesday's loss to the Kansas City Royals, the Angels are also looking up at the Oakland Athletics - albeit by a mere percentage point as both teams sit five games back of the Rangers. Los Angeles has to like its chances to win the rubber match in Wednesday's series finale when 12-game winner Jered Weaver takes the mound.

The Royals are getting a boost from Lorenzo Cain, who had a two-run homer Tuesday and is batting .390 (16-for-41) since rejoining the team following a three-month injury absence. Center fielder Alex Gordon has also turned it on at the plate, hitting safely in 13 of 14 games at a robust .435 clip (27-for-62). He went 3-for-5 Tuesday, his fifth three-hit game in the last 12.

TV: 3:35 p.m. ET, FSKC, FSW

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Luke Hochevar (6-8, 4.91 ERA) vs. Angels RH Jered Weaver (12-1, 2.20)

Hochevar is 3-1 in his last seven starts, allowing a total of 14 runs. His biggest problem has been an inability to keep the ball in the park, surrendering eight homers during that span. Hochevar beat Los Angeles for the first time in April, allowing two runs in 6 1/3 innings. He is 1-3 with a 6.83 ERA and .336 batting average against lifetime vs. the Angels.

The AL leader in ERA, Weaver has won six consecutive starts since returning from a three-week stint on the disabled list due to an ailing back. Weaver has been overpowering at home, going 7-0 with a 0.67 ERA in eight starts this season. In 11 career starts against the Royals, Weaver is 6-4 with a 2.12 ERA, including a 10-strikeout gem in eight scoreless innings on opening day.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Angels have been unable to make up ground on Texas, going 1-6 on days when the Rangers also lost.

2. Veteran Royals C Jason Kendall, who was attempting a comeback at Double-A, announced his retirement Tuesday.

3. Angels rookie Mike Trout had his 12-game hitting streak and 15-game run-scoring streak halted Tuesday.