Los Angeles @ Boston preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 7, 2013 ) LA Angels 0, Boston 0

The Boston Red Sox have taken two straight series from their closest competitors in the American League. They will be looking to continue the run of success when they host the Los Angeles Angels in a day-night doubleheader on Saturday, following a rainout of Friday's scheduled series opener. The Red Sox got a three-run walk-off homer from David Ortiz to take the rubber game from the Texas Rangers on Thursday and have the offense humming along in top form.

The Angels have the bats to do plenty of damage at Fenway Park this weekend, but they have not been sharp of late. Los Angeles has dropped five of its last six games and was held to four runs or fewer in all but one of those contests - an 8-6 loss in 10 innings against the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday. The Angels are beginning a stretch of nine straight games against the top three teams in the AL East, with a trip to Baltimore coming next before a home series against the New York Yankees.

TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, Fox Sports West (Los Angeles), New England Sports Network (Boston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels RH Tommy Hanson (2-2, 4.19 ERA) vs. Red Sox LH Felix Doubront (4-2, 4.88)

Hanson has made one start since taking some time off following the death of his stepbrother and was knocked around for five runs (four earned) and eight hits in 6 1/3 innings to suffer a loss to the Houston Astros on May 31. The right-hander has not completed seven innings in any of his six outings. Hanson made one start against the Red Sox as a member of the Atlanta Braves and surrendered two hits in six scoreless innings to earn a win on June 28, 2009.

Doubront was in danger of being dropped from the rotation a few weeks ago but has recovered to post three straight quality starts. The left-hander snapped a five-game winless streak by holding the Yankees to one run on six hits in six innings on June 1. Like Hanson, Doubront has trouble working deep into games and has yet to complete seven innings in 10 appearances.

WALK-OFFS

1. Boston CF Jacoby Ellsbury (groin) missed five games but returned to the lineup and went 4-for-5 with a pair of doubles on Thursday. He has multiple hits in five of his last six contests.

2. Los Angeles has taken eight straight from the Red Sox, including six in a row at Fenway Park.

3. Boston 2B Dustin Pedroia has hit safely in 10 straight games.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 5, Angels 4