Los Angeles @ Baltimore preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 30, 2014 ) LA Angels 3, Baltimore 4

The Baltimore Orioles attempt to complete a sweep when they host the Los Angeles Angels in the finale of their three-game series Thursday. Baltimore took two of three in Los Angeles last week and continued to frustrate the Angels with a 12-inning triumph in Tuesday's opener before posting a 4-3 victory one night later. Adam Jones belted a two-run homer and Kevin Gausman combined with two relievers on a four-hitter as the Orioles jumped out to a 4-0 lead before holding on for their third straight one-run win.

It was the seventh victory in nine contests for Baltimore, which maintained its 2 1/2-game lead over Toronto in the American League East. The Angels have begun their eight-game road trip with a pair of one-run losses and trail first-place Oakland by 2 1/2 games in the AL West. Despite the setbacks, Los Angeles still holds a 5 1/2-game advantage over Toronto for the first wild-card spot in the AL.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, MLBN, FSN West (Los Angeles), MASN (Baltimore)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels LH Tyler Skaggs (5-5, 4.49 ERA) vs. Orioles RH Bud Norris (8-7, 3.94)

Skaggs bounced back from a pair of rough outings to limit Detroit to one run and five hits in 5 2/3 innings Friday but was forced to settle for a no-decision. The 23-year-old still managed to go 1-0 in his previous two starts despite surrendering 11 runs and 15 hits over 11 2/3 combined frames. The victory at Texas on July 13 is the only one in the last eight outings for Skaggs, who never has faced Baltimore.

Norris lost for the second time in three outings on Saturday following a four-start winning streak, yielding four runs on six hits and three walks in five innings at Seattle. The 29-year-old is 6-3 over his last nine turns despite allowing at least four runs five times in that span. Norris improved to 4-0 in five career starts against the Angels on July 21, when he gave up two runs - one earned - with eight strikeouts in 6 2/3 frames at Los Angeles.

WALK-OFFS

1. Jones has hit 11 of his 21 home runs this season in the first inning.

2. Angels LHP C.J. Wilson (ankle) completed a bullpen session Wednesday and could be activated from the disabled list to start at Tampa Bay on Saturday.

3. Baltimore LHP Zach Britton has not allowed a run at home this season, limiting the opposition to 14 hits and striking out 25 over 29 2/3 innings in 24 appearances.

PREDICTION: Angels 5, Orioles 3