Los Angeles @ Oakland preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 21, 2015 ) LA Angels 2, Oakland 3

It might be time to panic for the Los Angeles Angels, who have lost eight of their last 10 to fall three games behind Texas for the second American League wild-card spot. The Angels and their struggling offense look to get untracked Monday in the start of a three-game series against the host Oakland Athletics, who have won two straight but still own the American League's worst record.

The Angels have scored a total of seven runs in their last five games and dropped to .500 for the first time since June 26 with Sunday’s 9-2 loss to Cleveland. Center fielder Mike Trout snapped a lengthy slump by going 4-for-4 with an RBI on Sunday, but the Angels need more production from Albert Pujols, who has three hits in his last 22 at-bats. Los Angeles would do well to get deep into Oakland’s bullpen after five relievers were used in Sunday’s 11-inning, 7-4 win over Arizona. Sean Doolittle, who missed most of the season with a shoulder injury, struck out two in a scoreless inning Sunday and appears close to reclaiming his role as the team’s closer.

TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, FSN West (Los Angeles), CSN California (Oakland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels LH Hector Santiago (7-8, 3.13 ERA) vs. Athletics LH Felix Doubront (1-1, 3.70)

Santiago suffered his second straight loss last Wednesday, when he allowed five runs – including three home runs – while throwing 105 pitches over 4 1/3 innings against Detroit. The 27-year-old has struggled since making the All-Star game, allowing 27 runs (24 earned) over his last eight starts covering 41 1/3 innings. Santiago is 3-2 with a 2.08 ERA in nine career games (seven starts) against Oakland, including 2-0 with a 1.29 ERA in his last six games.

Doubront had his scheduled Saturday start pushed back a few days after leaving last Monday’s game against Seattle in the second inning with a right foot contusion. The 27-year-old is set to make his fifth appearance and third start with the Athletics since being acquired from Toronto in late July. Doubront, who last faced Los Angeles as a member of the Red Sox on July 5, 2013, owns a 1-1 mark and 3.29 ERA in three career games (two starts) against the Angels.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Angels have won 14 of the last 20 meetings against the Athletics.

2. Oakland C Stephen Vogt is 6-for-9 with two home runs and four RBI over the last two games.

3. Angels 3B David Freese (broken right finger) is expected to be activated when rosters expand Tuesday.

PREDICTION: Angels 7, Athletics 6