Chicago @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 23, 2011 ) Chi. White Sox 4, LA Angels 5

THE STORY: Jered Weaver takes the mound for the Los Angeles Angels for the first time since signing a five-year, $85 million contract extension that is intended to keep the All-Star pitcher with the Angels through the 2016 season. Weaver faces the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday one day after his big contract was formally announced. The 28-year-old Weaver was slated to become a free agent after the 2012 season but was more interested in maintaining his Southern California lifestyle than perhaps landing a bigger contract through bidding wars. The Angels beat the White Sox in Tuesday’s opener to match their longest winning streak of the season at five games and move within 3 1/2 games of Texas in the American League West.

TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, ESPN2, FSW (Los Angeles).

PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox RH Zach Stewart (1-2, 3.74) vs. Angels RH Jered Weaver (14-6, 2.10)

Stewart is filling the rotation spot held by Phil Humber, who was hit in the head by a line drive in his last start. This is Stewart’s third start for the White Sox – he beat Minnesota on Aug. 6 and lost to Kansas City six days later. The rookie has never faced the Angels.

Weaver is 0-2 over his last four starts and hasn’t won since beating Cleveland on July 26. He received a no-decision against Texas in his last outing when he gave up one run and six hits in seven innings. Five days earlier, he was torched by Toronto for eight runs in 4 2/3 innings. Weaver beat the White Sox in April and is 5-2 with a 1.81 ERA in eight career starts against Chicago. Juan Pierre is batting .385 against Weaver in 26 career at-bats.

ABOUT THE ANGELS (70-59): Peter Bourjos is shedding his reputation as a offensive liability and delivered the game-winning, ninth-inning single in Tuesday’s 5-4 victory. Bourjos is batting .462 during a nine-game hitting streak to raise his average to .285. He batted just .204 last season as a rookie. Howie Kendrick hit his career-high 11th homer and Torii Hunter had two run-scoring singles. Hunter has had at least one hit in 19 of his last 20 games. Maicer Izturis had two hits for the second consecutive game and has a .333 career average against the White Sox.

ABOUT THE WHITE SOX (63-64): Tuesday’s loss was only Chicago’s sixth in its last 17 games. The White Sox are 6 1/2 games behind the Detroit Tigers in the American League Central. Paul Konerko recorded his 2,000th career hit in Tuesday’s game, becoming the 13th player to reach the milestone while wearing a White Sox uniform. Carlos Quentin (shoulder) missed will miss his second straight game on Wednesday. Quentin is hopeful of returning to action during the weekend series at Seattle. Alejandro De Aza had two hits for his fourth multihit game in six contests. De Aza is batting .385 during the stretch.

FINAL PITCH: “I grew up in an era when guys stayed with one team, and when the Angels said they wanted to get something done, my ears were definitely open. I weighed the options, and I couldn’t see myself anywhere else.” – Angels ace Jered Weaver during Tuesday’s press conference to announce his extension.