Detroit @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 20, 2014 ) LA Angels 1, Detroit 2

The Detroit Tigers will have a new reliever in the bullpen Thursday when they visit Los Angeles for the start of a four-game series against the Angels, but their closer is expected to remain unchanged. The Tigers bolstered their struggling bullpen Wednesday by trading minor league pitchers Jake Thompson and Corey Knebel to the Texas Rangers for Joakim Soria, who has a 2.70 ERA and 17 saves in 35 appearances. Detroit general manager Dave Dombrowski said Soria will serve as a setup man for closer Joe Nathan, who has 20 saves but a dismal 5.89 ERA.

The Tigers improved the best road record in the majors to 30-17 on Wednesday, when they took the rubber game of a three-game set at Arizona. The Angels boast the majors’ highest-scoring offense, but they’ve averaged just three runs in six games since the All-Star break. Left fielder Josh Hamilton is hoping to break a 17-game homerless drought for Los Angeles, which has won 10 of its last 12 meetings against the Tigers.

TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, FSN Detroit, FSN West (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Max Scherzer (11-3, 3.34 ERA) vs. Angels RH Garrett Richards (11-2, 2.47)

Scherzer battled neck spasms before throwing a season-high 118 pitches while yielding two runs over 5 2/3 innings last Saturday against Cleveland, but he expects to be fully healthy Thursday. The reigning American League Cy Young Award winner was 3-0 with a 1.61 ERA in his previous four starts. Scherzer is 3-1 with a 2.16 ERA in five career starts against the Angels, including seven innings of one-run ball on April 19.

Richards carried a perfect game into the sixth inning against Seattle last Saturday, when he received a no-decision after allowing a run and three hits over eight innings. The 26-year-old, who has recorded nine straight quality starts, was denied a spot on the All-Star team despite going 4-0 with a 1.05 ERA in five June starts. Richards is 2-1 with a 2.70 ERA in seven career games (two starts) against Detroit.

WALK-OFFS

1. Los Angeles is 40-15 at home against Detroit since 2001.

2. Tigers CF Austin Jackson is hitting .382 with 17 runs scored over his last 17 games.

3. The Angels placed INF/OF Grant Green on the disabled list with a strained back and recalled DH C.J. Cron from Triple-A Salt Lake.

PREDICTION: Angels 3, Tigers 1