Los Angeles @ Minnesota preview

Last Meeting ( May 9, 2012 ) LA Angels 6, Minnesota 2

Weather could be a factor when the Minnesota Twins host the Los Angeles Angels on Monday in the scheduled opener of the three-game series. Sunday’s game against the visiting New York Mets was cancelled because of light snow and rain, and weather reports indicate more of the same for Monday. The Twins have lost five straight to fall into last place in the American League Central Division and they’re hitting only .219 as a team. The Angels arrive in Minneapolis riding a season-best two-game winning streak.

Josh Hamilton, Albert Pujols and Mike Trout each played well in the weekend series against the visiting Houston Astros. Hamilton had four hits in the final two games of the series, including his first two homers with the Angels. Trout also had four hits in the last two games, including his first homer of the season, and Pujols had a walk-off two-run double in Saturday’s come-from-behind victory. Joe Mauer has five hits in the last three games for Minnesota to raise his batting average to .298.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, Fox Sports West (Los Angeles), Fox Sports North (Minnesota)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels RH Joe Blanton (0-2, 9.00 ERA) vs. Twins RH Kevin Correia (0-1, 3.14)

The Angels were hoping Blanton would fill some of the void left by the departure of starters Zack Greinke, Ervin Santana and Dan Haren in the offseason, but so far he has been a disappointment. He has not lasted into the sixth inning in either start and has been lit up for four home runs. Blanton has allowed eight home runs in nine career starts against the Twins. If there’s a reason to be optimistic, it’s Blanton’s success in his lone start at Target Field. He threw a complete game in a 6-1 victory last June while still with the Philadelphia Phillies.

Correia was scheduled to start Sunday, but was pushed back because of the rain out. He has given the Twins at least seven innings in each of his first two starts. Correia allowed two runs and seven hits in seven innings of his season debut April 3 against the visiting Detroit Tigers. He was saved from a loss when the Twins scored twice in the ninth for a 3-2 victory. Correia went 7 1/3 innings five days later against the Kansas City Royals, allowing eight hits and three runs in a 3-1 loss. The right-hander pitched against the Angels once in his career in 2006, retiring the only batter he faced.

WALK-OFFS

1. Minnesota rookie OF Aaron Hicks tied the major-league record for most strikeouts through 10 career games with 20. Brett Jackson also had 20 for the Chicago Cubs last year. Hicks, who grew up in Southern California, is off to a 2-for-43 start.

2. Target Field is one of two stadiums in which Pujols has played but hasn’t homered in his career.

3. Angels 3B Luis Jimenez is 3-for-9 with two doubles since he was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake on Friday.

PREDICTION: Twins 7, Angels 5