Toronto @ Los Angeles preview
Angel Stadium of Anaheim
Last Meeting ( Jul 1, 2012 ) LA Angels 10, Toronto 6
While the Los Angeles Angels and Toronto Blue Jays had high hopes for the season, the clubs enter Thursday's opener of a four-game series residing 14 games in back of their respective division leaders. Los Angeles suffered its third straight walk-off defeat and sixth consecutive setback overall as it dropped a 2-1 decision to American League West-rival Texas on Wednesday. Former Ranger Josh Hamilton followed Tuesday's four-RBI performance with a solo homer in the seventh inning to account for his team's only run.
Toronto has won five of its last seven games but still resides in the basement of the AL East. The Blue Jays overcame four errors to post their second straight victory over AL West-leading Oakland on Wednesday. Struggling right-hander Josh Johnson looks to snap a five-start losing streak when he takes the mound on Thursday.
TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, RSN (Toronto), FSN West (Los Angeles)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays RH Josh Johnson (1-7, 6.08 ERA) vs. Angels RH Garrett Richards (2-4, 4.33)
Johnson struggled mightily in his last outing, yielding seven runs on as many hits in 5 2/3 innings against Houston. The seven-run performance was the second in three appearances for the 29-year-old, who is 0-4 on the road with a bloated 7.66 ERA. Manager John Gibbons admitted Johnson has been dealing with a minor knee injury all season.
Richards will make his sixth start and 36th appearance this season. The 25-year-old dropped both of his career decisions to Toronto, allowing 12 runs and five walks in 5 2/3 innings to inflate his ERA to 9.53. Richards has scattered a total of five hits over eight scoreless innings in his last three trips to the mound.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Blue Jays have won 12 of 17 contests against AL West representatives this season.
2. Hamilton is 5-for-11 in his last three games while hitting safely in six of his last seven contests.
3. Toronto and Los Angeles are meeting for the first time in 2013. The clubs split eight games last season.
PREDICTION: Angels 6, Blue Jays 4