Los Angeles @ Boston preview
Fenway Park
Last Meeting ( Aug 22, 2012 ) LA Angels 7, Boston 3
The Los Angeles Angels will look to complete a sweep of the host Boston Red Sox, but they could be missing a key cog on Thursday. Albert Pujols pulled up with tightness in his right calf while running to third base during the Angels' 7-3 triumph on Wednesday. The veteran slugger will undergo an MRI prior to Thursday's tilt. Los Angeles' offense wasn't the worse for wear as it collected 15 hits to defeat the Red Sox for the fourth straight time at Fenway Park.
The Angels will be vying for their first sweep of Boston since July 2008. In order to accomplish the feat, Thursday starter C.J. Wilson will be looked upon to post his first win in nearly two months. The Red Sox have dropped six of their last eight and are 6-14 in August to fall 8 1/2 games back in the wild-card race.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FSW, NESN
PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels LH C.J. Wilson (9-9, 3.62 ERA) vs. Red Sox LH Franklin Morales (3-4, 3.67)
C.J. Wilson hasn't won since June 26 - a span of 10 starts - but he does own a 4-1 mark with three saves in his career versus the Red Sox. The 31-year-old was shelled for seven runs on six hits in 4 2/3 innings on Saturday, but walked away with a no-decision versus Tampa Bay. Wilson has not faced Boston this season.
Morales has dropped his last two contests after pitching 5 1/3 innings in both outings. The 26-year-old yielded five runs - including four homers - in a 6-4 loss to the rival New York Yankees on Friday. Morales has struggled at Fenway Park, posting a 5.16 ERA - as opposed to a 2.66 mark on the road.
WALK-OFFS
1. Los Angeles rookie Mike Trout, who extended his hitting streak to nine games on Wednesday, is 3-for-8 with a run scored in the series.
2. Boston's Daisuke Matsuzaka fared well in a rehab start for Triple-A Pawtucket, prompting speculation that he could return to the Red Sox rotation as early as this weekend. Manager Bobby Valentine admitted that Matsuzaka offered a good performance, but did not release the rotation for the upcoming series against Kansas City.
3. Los Angeles placed OF Peter Bourjos on the 15-day disabled list with a sore right wrist. The Angels recalled RHP Garrett Richards from Triple-A Salt Lake.