Chicago @ Los Angeles preview
Angel Stadium
Last Meeting ( Sep 22, 2012 ) Chi. White Sox 2, LA Angels 4
The Los Angeles Angels go for the series sweep Sunday, when they host the American League Central-leading Chicago White Sox in the finale of their three-game set at Angel Stadium. Los Angeles scored four times in the first inning Saturday en route to a 4-2 victory that put it 2 1/2 games behind Oakland for the second wild-card spot in the American League. Mark Trumbo highlighted the uprising with a two-run single for the Angels, who improved to 3-2 on their nine-game homestand.
With its fourth consecutive loss, Chicago saw its division lead over Detroit shrink to one-half game. Following Sunday's series finale, the White Sox play six of their final 10 games against the Cleveland Indians, who have lost 11 of their last 14 contests. Chicago is in danger of losing the season series with Los Angeles for the fifth time in seven years as it has gone 3-4 over the first seven meetings.
TV: 3:35 p.m. ET, CSN (Chicago), FSN West (Los Angeles)
PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox RH Gavin Floyd (10-10, 4.50 ERA) vs. Angels RH Jered Weaver (18-4, 2.79)
Floyd picked up the win at Kansas City on Tuesday in his second start since returning from a strained elbow as he allowed only two runs and five hits over seven innings. The 29-year-old has yielded three earned runs or less in each of his last six starts and nine of his last 10. The only outing during that span in which he gave up more was against the Angels on Aug. 4, when he surrendered five runs over 6 1/3 frames.
After losing at Seattle on Sept. 2, Weaver defeated both of the Angels' other two division rivals, allowing a total of three runs in 14 innings against Oakland and Texas. The 29-year-old has split his last six decisions after winning 10 in a row. Weaver, who is seeking his AL-leading 19th win, has been dominant against the White Sox over his career, going 6-2 with a 1.61 ERA in nine starts.
WALK-OFFS
1. Floyd is 2-5 with a 5.20 ERA in nine career starts against Los Angeles and has lost all three of his outings at Angel Stadium.
2. Los Angeles OF Mike Trout has scored 121 runs, three shy of the franchise record set in 2004 by Vladimir Guerrero.
3. White Sox manager Robin Ventura received his fourth ejection of the season Saturday after arguing a balk call against Chicago's Jose Quintana in the fourth inning.