Los Angeles @ Boston preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 8, 2013 ) LA Angels 9, Boston 5

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: 7:15 p.m. ET, Fox

PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels LH C.J. Wilson (4-4, 3.93 ERA) vs. Red Sox RH Clay Buchholz (8-0, 1.62)

Wilson has been solid of late and is coming off a 7 1/3-inning effort against Houston in which he allowed three runs on six hits but did not factor in the decision. The veteran lefty has not issued a walk in either of his last two starts, but staying in the zone left him open to surrendering a pair of home runs against the Astros. Wilson has always fared well against Boston, owning a 5-1 record with a 2.62 ERA in 19 appearances (seven starts).

Buchholz leads the majors in ERA and made his return from soreness near his collarbone on Sunday, allowing two hits in five scoreless frames before the game was called due to rain. As a result, the right-hander has not thrown more than 71 pitches since May 22. Buchholz is 5-3 with a 4.85 ERA in nine career starts against Los Angeles and has been especially tough on Josh Hamilton (1-for-15) and Erick Aybar (3-for-22).

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