Cleveland @ Los Angeles preview
Angel Stadium of Anaheim
Last Meeting ( Aug 20, 2013 ) Cleveland 4, LA Angels 1
The Cleveland Indians wrap up their nine-game road trip Wednesday afternoon as they attempt to complete a three-game sweep of the Los Angeles Angels. Cleveland cruised to a 5-2 victory in the series opener before outlasting Los Angeles in 14 innings on Tuesday. Drew Stubbs snapped a 1-1 tie with a two-run homer during a three-run frame as the Indians improved to 5-3 on their trek.
Cleveland also inched closer to a playoff berth with the triumph, pulling within 5 1/2 games of the first-place Detroit Tigers in the American League Central and 3 1/2 of the Oakland Athletics for the second wild card berth. The Indians return home for a three-game set against the Minnesota Twins that begins Friday before heading back on the road for crucial series against division leaders Atlanta and Detroit. The Angels, who have been without star Mike Trout for two games due to a right hamstring injury, have lost eight of their last 10 contests.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, STO (Cleveland), FSN West (Los Angeles)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Justin Masterson (13-9, 3.59 ERA) vs. Angels RH Jerome Williams (5-9, 4.90)
Masterson's winless streak reached three starts Friday, when he suffered the loss at Oakland despite allowing only three runs in 7 2/3 innings. The 28-year-old surrendered 10 runs in his previous two outings after yielding a total of two during a three-start win streak. Masterson escaped with a no-decision against the Angels on August 11 after giving up five runs - four earned - over 4 1/3 frames.
Williams has not posted a victory since June 12 at Baltimore, going 0-7 over his last 11 starts. The 31-year-old lasted just 4 1/3 innings in a loss to the Houston Astros on Friday, yielding three runs on five hits and four walks. Williams made his only career start against the Indians on August 11, coming away with a no-decision after allowing four runs over 5 2/3 frames.
WALK-OFFS
1. Masterson is 3-0 with a 2.59 ERA in 11 career games - eight starts - against the Angels.
2. Angels RHP Joe Blanton tied Houston's Lucas Harrell for the major-league lead by suffering his 14th loss Tuesday.
3. The Indians released Daisuke Matsuzaka on Tuesday after the right-hander went 5-8 with a 3.92 ERA in 19 starts for Triple-A Columbus this season.
PREDICTION: Indians 8, Angels 3