Detroit @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 27, 2015 ) LA Angels 2, Detroit 0

The last time Justin Verlander faced the Los Angeles Angels, the six-time All-Star took a no-hitter into the ninth inning and settled for a one-hit shutout on Aug. 26, 2015. Verlander will aim for similar results Monday as the Detroit Tigers visit the Angels for the opener of a three-game series.

Victor Martinez is 13-for-27 with two home runs and eight RBI during his seven-game hitting streak for the Tigers, who have won nine of their last 13 but fell one game under .500 with Sunday’s 4-2 loss at Oakland. Detroit’s recent surge has coincided with the return of Cameron Maybin, who has recorded at least one hit in 11 of the 12 games in which he’s played since coming off the disabled list. The Tigers are 4-19 in their last 23 games against the Angels and will need to exercise caution against Albert Pujols, who belted four home runs in the 2015 season series and has two blasts among his five hits over the last three games. The Angels received a scare when Yunel Escobar left Sunday’s game against Houston with a left wrist injury, but manager Mike Scioscia said the team’s leadoff hitter is listed as day-to-day.

TV: 9:05 p.m. ET, FSN Detroit, FSN West (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Justin Verlander (4-4, 4.02 ERA) vs. Angels RH Jhoulys Chacin (1-3, 5.11)

Verlander won his second straight start on Tuesday against Philadelphia, scattering three hits over eight scoreless innings with two walks and 10 strikeouts. “Pretty much the same as what we’ve seen the last four starts,” Tigers manager Brad Ausmus told reporters. “His fastball’s really working for him. He’s getting swings-and-misses on it and mixing in his other stuff.” The 33-year-old is 5-6 with a 3.68 ERA in 14 career starts against the Angels, including a 6.19 ERA in six outings at Angel Stadium.

Chacin is set to make his ninth start of the season and fourth since being acquired from Atlanta on May 11. The 28-year-old is seeking his first win with his new team after allowing three earned runs and five hits over six innings in a loss at Texas on Tuesday. Justin Upton is 2-for-20 with a home run while Maybin is 4-for-13 against Chacin, who spent the first seven seasons of his career in the National League and never has faced Detroit.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Angels won six of their seven meetings with the Tigers last season, including a four-game sweep at home.

2. Detroit RHP Jordan Zimmermann (groin) threw a bullpen session Sunday and is expected to avoid the disabled list.

3. Angels 2B Johnny Giavotella is batting .352 in 24 games this month.

PREDICTION: Tigers 7, Angels 3