Boston @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 28, 2012 ) Boston 5, LA Angels 6

The Los Angeles Angels have been able to keep their hopes for a playoff berth alive in the last week purely based on their domination of the Boston Red Sox. After sweeping a three-game set at Fenway Park last week, the Angels made it four in a row against the Red Sox with a walk-off win on Tuesday. Los Angeles is still 4 1/2 games out of a wild card spot but has some momentum and two more games against Boston.

Albert Pujols returned to the lineup on Tuesday after a four-game absence and delivered a home run. Rookie sensation Mike Trout also homered and drove in the tying run with a single in the ninth. The center fielder became the youngest player and the only rookie in history to amass 25 home runs and 40 steals in a season. The Red Sox are at least getting some use out of James Loney, who has driven in a run in three straight games since joining the team. Evaluation mode has started on the club, with young players like Pedro Ciriaco, Jose Iglesias, Ryan Kalish and Ryan Lavarnway all in the lineup on Tuesday and candidates for more time over the next month.

TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, NESN (Boston), FSW (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox RH Zach Stewart (1-2, 6.00 ERA) vs. Angels LH C.J. Wilson (9-9, 3.83)

Stewart, who was acquired from the Chicago White Sox in June as part of the return for Kevin Youkilis, will take over one of the rotation spots vacated by the now-departed Josh Beckett and Franklin Morales, who was placed on the disabled list. Stewart went 3-5 with a 3.94 ERA in 11 starts with the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox. The 25-year-old right-hander made one start in 18 appearances with the White Sox this season and owns a career 2-7 record with a 6.29 ERA in 12 major-league starts.

Wilson has not won since June 26 and has been battered around for 14 runs (13 earned) in 9 2/3 total innings in his last two starts. One of those was last week in Boston, when he was lit up for seven runs (six earned) in five innings but avoided the loss as the Angels picked up a 14-13 win in 10 innings. Wilson has worked into the seventh inning in only one of his five starts this month. He is 4-1 with a 2.39 ERA in 18 career games - six starts - against the Red Sox.

WALK-OFFS

1. Los Angeles 2B Howie Kendrick has hit safely in 14 straight games.

2. Red Sox CF Jacoby Ellsbury has recorded multiple hits in six straight games.

3. Boston closer Alfredo Aceves suffered his eighth blown save on Tuesday. Aceves was suspended for three games over the weekend and his role in the bullpen going forward is up in the air. Andrew Bailey has a 1.69 ERA in seven games since coming off the DL and could assume the closer’s role.