Los Angeles @ Toronto preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 19, 2011 ) LA Angels 2, Toronto 3

THE STORY: The Toronto Blue Jays have been quite a pest of late. They have won eight of 11, including a damaging extra-inning victory over the Los Angeles Angels Monday in the first of a four-game series. The Blue Jays will try to continue their strong finish Tuesday and make the road even more difficult for the visiting Angels. Los Angeles, which has lost five of eight, is five games behind the Texas Rangers in the American League West and 4½ behind Boston in the wild card race with nine games left. The Angels do end the season with three games against Texas at home, but they likely need to win the next six to have any chance.

TV: 7:07 p.m. ET, FS West (Los Angeles), RSN (Toronto)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels RH Joel Pineiro (6-7, 5.33 ERA) vs. Blue Jays LH Brett Cecil (4-9, 4.37).

Pineiro was 5-3 with a 3.90 ERA on July 9, but is 1-4 since. He gave up five runs in three innings his last start Sept. 12 at Oakland. Pineiro has 55 strikeouts and 36 walks. He is 2-4 lifetime against the Jays with a 4.67 ERA in 69 1/3 innings, allowing three runs - two earned - in two innings of relief Aug. 13. Kelly Johnson is 6-for-12 with two homers against Pineiro. Cecil, who missed his last start when he cut the index finger on his left hand in a blender, is 0-5 since July 29. He allowed one earned run in 7 2/3 innings his last start Sept. 9 in a loss against Baltimore. Cecil is 1-1 with a 5.76 ERA in his career against the Angels in 25 innings. He is 0-0, but has allowed nine runs in 12 innings against the Angels in 2011. Bobby Abreu is 5-for-12 against Cecil.

ABOUT THE ANGELS (83-70): It might be desperation time for the Angels. Even though many in the lineup are hitting the ball well, they are not finding ways to win. Erick Aybar has been the best in September, going 24-for-57 with eight RBIs to raise his average to .280. He shared AL Player of the Week honors Monday. Torii Hunter is 6-for-19 in the last five and Vernon Wells is 5-for-12 in the last three. Abreu, who has 30 doubles for the 12th time in his career, is 5-for-16 in the last four. Rookie first baseman Mark Trumbo belted his 28th home run and rookie outfielder Mike Trout missed Monday’s game with a sore left calf.

ABOUT THE BLUE JAYS (78-75): Despite their strong play of late, the Jays were officially eliminated from playoff contention Monday. But they have a chance at their second straight winning season, and need to go 7-2 to match last year’s mark. Jose Bautista is due to get going again. He has gone five games without an RBI since reaching 100 for the second straight season on Sept. 13. Adam Lind was 8-for-21 with six RBIs in five games before his 0-for-5 on Monday, but knocked in the winner with a ground out. Colby Rasmus is 2-for-29 in the last eight games.

FINAL PITCH: The Angels are 19-22 against AL East teams in 2011. They are 51-43 against the other two AL divisions and were 13-5 in interleague play.