Los Angeles @ Cleveland preview
Progressive Field
Last Meeting ( Aug 10, 2013 ) LA Angels 7, Cleveland 2
The Cleveland Indians are in danger of skidding out of control as they head into the finale of their three-game series versus the visiting Los Angeles Angels. The Indians look to regain their footing on Sunday after being outscored 37-15 during their six-game losing streak. With Detroit comfortably ahead in the American League Central, Cleveland may turn its focus toward Oakland as it sits four games behind the Athletics in the race for the second wild card.
Los Angeles benefited from three sacrifice flies and four errors by the Indians as it cruised to a 7-2 triumph on Saturday. J.B. Shuck, who hails from Gallon, Ohio, gave his family and friends in attendance a thrill with a pair of hits and two sacrifice flies. The Angels, who lead the majors with 49 sacrifice flies, are an impressive 18-9 against AL Central representatives.
TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, FSN West (Los Angeles), STO (Cleveland)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels RH Jerome Williams (5-8, 4.77 ERA) vs. Indians RH Justin Masterson (13-8, 3.46)
Williams suffered his sixth loss and had his winless streak reach 10 starts after a miserable outing against Texas on Monday. The 31-year-old, who last won on June 12, permitted five runs on six hits in 5 1/3 innings in a 5-2 setback to the Rangers. Williams, who has yielded a homer in eight of his last nine outings, has yet to face the Indians in his career.
Masterson saw his three-game winning streak come to an end as a five-run fifth inning proved to be his undoing versus Detroit on Tuesday. Although he fell in front of the home fans, the 28-year-old owns an impressive 8-3 mark while limiting the opposition to a .221 batting average at Progressive Field. Masterson has fared well against the Angels, posting a 3-0 mark with a 2.10 ERA.
WALK-OFFS
1. Los Angeles CF Mike Trout has reached base in 40 consecutive games.
2. Indians C Yan Gomes is 3-for-6 with two runs scored in the series.
3. Cleveland manager Terry Francona revealed that RHP Carlos Carrasco will start on Wednesday in place of LHP Scott Kazmir.
PREDICTION: Indians 4, Angels 1