Los Angeles @ Detroit preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 19, 2012 ) LA Angels 1, Detroit 5

Both teams could be without power-hitting superstars when the Los Angeles Angels open a three-game series against the host Detroit Tigers on Friday. All indications are that Albert Pujols (calf) will miss his second consecutive game, but the Angels hope to get Pujols back in the lineup at some point during the series. Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera left Thursday’s contest with right ankle soreness and will serve as the designated hitter if he’s cleared to play.

Detroit is 1 1/2 games behind the first-place Chicago White Sox after sweeping a three-game series from the Toronto Blue Jays. The Tigers won Thursday’s finale 3-2 behind Alex Avila’s walk-off single in the 11th. The Angels also won in dramatic fashion by posting a 14-13, 10-inning victory over the Boston Red Sox. Seven different players had multiple hits as Los Angeles racked up 20 overall. Angels rookie Mike Trout, age 21, stole two bases to raise his total to 41. Trout is one homer away from becoming the youngest player in history to have 25 homers and 40 steals. Cesar Cedeno had 25 homers and 56 steals for the Houston Astros in 1973 at age 22.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, Fox Sports West (Angels), Fox Sports Detroit

PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels RH Zack Greinke (1-2, 6.19 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Rick Porcello (9-8, 4.67)

Grienke has won just one of five starts since being acquired from the Milwaukee Brewers. He gave up six runs and seven hits in six innings while losing to the Tampa Bay Rays in his last outing. Greinke went 11-6 with a 2.84 ERA in 25 career appearances (22 starts) against the Tigers when he was a member of the Kansas City Royals.

Porcello has lost back-to-back outings following a stretch in which he won five of six decisions. He lost to the Baltimore Orioles in his last start when he gave up three runs and seven hits in six innings. Porcello is 3-1 with a 6.29 ERA in six career starts against the Angels. He took a no-decision against Los Angeles on July 16 when he gave up five runs and eight hits in 5 2/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Los Angeles had 10 or more hits in each contest of a three-game sweep against Boston and has 62 such performances this season after reaching double digits just 56 times all last season.

2. Tigers 1B Prince Fielder, who bats against former Brewers teammate Greinke for the initial time, has hit 14 of his 22 homers at home.

3. Angels OF Torii Hunter is 6-for-12 with a homer and six RBIs against Porcello.