Chicago @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 5, 2012 ) LA Angels 2, Chi. White Sox 4

The Los Angeles Angels are losing ground in the American League wild-card race and need Mike Trout to break out of a slump as they open a three-game series against the visiting Chicago White Sox. The Angels have slipped to 4 1/2 games behind Baltimore and Oakland for the wild-card spots. Trout has gone 10 games without an RBI and has just three all month. Chicago leads Detroit by two games in the AL Central.

The White Sox hope to have Paul Konerko’s bat in the lineup after he missed Thursday’s loss to Kansas City due to back soreness. Konerko is 5-for-7 at Angel Stadium this season and has 23 career homers against the Angels. Chicago had won five straight before losing back-to-back games to the Royals. Los Angeles scored just three runs while losing its last two games to the Texas Rangers. Trout is 1-for-14 over the last four games and first baseman Albert Pujols has just one homer and five RBIs in 16 September games.

TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, WGN (Chicago, Fox Sports West (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox RH Jake Peavy (11-11, 3.26 ERA) vs. Angels RH Ervin Santana (8-12, 5.08)

Peavy’s last four victories have come against the Minnesota Twins and the Toronto Blue Jays are the only other team he has defeated since May ended. He allowed two runs and four hits in six innings while beating Minnesota last Sunday. Peavy hasn’t faced the Angels this season and his career mark is 0-2 with a 5.40 ERA in four starts.

Santana hasn’t pitched since Sept. 12 when he gave up two runs (one earned) and four hits in six innings while losing to the Oakland Athletics. He has allowed two earned runs or less in five of his last six starts. Santana received a no-decision against Chicago when he gave up three runs (two earned) and five hits in six innings on August 4. He is 4-4 with a 4.15 ERA in 14 career appearances (13 starts) against the White Sox.

WALK-OFFS

1. Los Angeles OF Torii Hunter has 16 RBIs in September and is 5-for-10 against Peavy.

2. White Sox 3B Kevin Youkilis is 4-for-11 with two homers against Santana.

3. Pujols is batting .350 with two homers in 20 career regular-season at-bats against Peavy.