Boston @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 23, 2012 ) LA Angels 14, Boston 13

When the Boston Red Sox hosted the Los Angeles Angels last week, a three-game sweep effectively ended Boston’s season. It also led to the front office pulling the trigger on a deal that sent Josh Beckett, Adrian Gonzalez, Carl Crawford and Nick Punto across the country to the Los Angeles Dodgers, where they are currently stealing headlines from the Angels. Los Angeles was not able to maintain the momentum from Boston and has dropped two straight.

The Angels needed that Fenway Park sweep to stay alive in the American League wild card race but totaled seven runs in dropping two of three at the Detroit Tigers over the weekend. That offense is expected to get a boost Tuesday when Albert Pujols returns after missing nearly a week with right calf inflammation. The Red Sox have won back-to-back games for the first time in three weeks and have gotten an RBI in two straight games from James Loney - the lone major-league player in the return from the Dodgers. Loney is one of several new faces in the clubhouse as Boston churns the roster looking for the pieces that will fit in the future.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox RH Clay Buchholz (11-4, 4.47 ERA) vs. Angels RH Jered Weaver (16-3, 2.74)

Buchholz had a rare misstep against Los Angeles last week, getting tagged for seven runs on 12 hits in 5 1/3 innings to suffer the loss. The right-hander had been 3-0 with a 1.53 ERA in his six previous starts. Buchholz is 5-3 with a 4.81 ERA in eight career starts against the Angels, including 1-1 in two starts at Angel Stadium.

Weaver bounced back from a horrific outing to beat Boston last week, allowing two runs on seven hits in seven innings while striking out five. He had been beaten around for nine runs in only three innings in his previous start. The Cy Young candidate is 8-2 with a 2.36 ERA in 11 home starts this season but is still a sub-.500 pitcher against the Red Sox. Weaver is 3-5 with a 4.23 ERA in 12 career starts against Boston.

WALK-OFFS

1. Boston DH David Ortiz (Achilles) was placed on the disabled list Monday but has not given up on his season. He will receive an injection in his ailing ankle in the hope that it will get him back before the end of the campaign.

2. The Angels’ 5.53 team ERA since the All-Star break is the worst mark in the majors. The bullpen has put up a 6.08 mark in that period.

3. Red Sox closer Alfredo Aceves, who was suspended by the team for the final three games of the last series, is expected to join the team in Anaheim.