Los Angeles @ Boston preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 18, 2014 ) LA Angels 4, Boston 2

Los Angeles Angels standout Mike Trout arrived in Boston with one hit in his previous five games but the sight of Fenway Park awoke him from his slumber. Trout collected a pair of hits and an RBI to improve to 15-for-32 in seven career games in Boston as the Angels won the opener of a four-game series against the Red Sox. Los Angeles right-hander Jered Weaver will be out to avenge a 4-2 defeat at the hands of Boston and Allen Webster 11 days ago in Tuesday's matchup.

The Angels, winners of five of six overall, moved to 7-2 in their last nine at Fenway to take a half-game lead in the American League West. Josh Hamilton, who has five hits and 18 strikeouts in his last 38 at-bats, could return to their starting lineup after sitting out the past two games - the first per his own request. While Los Angeles owns the best record in the majors, the Red Sox continue to stumble at Fenway Park - dropping eight of their last 11 at home.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FSN West (Los Angeles), NESN (Boston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels RH Jered Weaver (13-7, 3.66 ERA) vs. Red Sox RH Allen Webster (3-1, 4.79)

Weaver had a nine-start unbeaten streak snapped by Boston on Aug. 8, when he surrendering four runs and seven hits over six innings to drop to 4-6 lifetime in 15 career starts against the Red Sox. Weaver bounced back to limit Philadelphia to two runs over six innings on Wednesday to improve to 6-1 in his last 11 turns. Former teammate Mike Napoli has tormented Weaver, collecting 10 hits and hitting three homers in 29 at-bats.

Webster has won his last two starts, although Boston's offense bailed him out of a four-run deficit in a victory over Houston last time out. He had his best outing of the season against the Angels earlier this month, allowing two runs on four hits over 6 2/3 innings. The biggest issue for the hard-throwing Webster is control, or lack thereof - he has walked 16 and struck out only 10 over 20 2/3 innings in his four starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. Red Sox OF/3B Brock Holt has hit safely in a career-best 13 games.

2. Angels OF Kole Calhoun had two hits Monday, giving him multiple hits in seven of nine contests.

3. Red Sox SS Xander Bogaerts is 0-for-13 in his last four games and 3-for-34 in the last nine.

PREDICTION: Angels 5, Red Sox 3