Cleveland @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 11, 2013 ) LA Angels 5, Cleveland 6

The Cleveland Indians have steadied their ship a bit since a demoralizing six-game losing skid, but they need a boost to get back into the playoff chase. The Indians, who have won four of seven, look to get something started when they begin a three-game series at the struggling Los Angeles Angels on Monday. Jason Kipnis continues to lead the way with 72 RBIs for Cleveland, which sits seven games out in the American League Central and 4 ½ behind Oakland for the second AL wild-card spot.

The Indians might play an already diminished Angels team without All-Star Mike Trout, who left Sunday’s 7-5 loss to Houston with a sore right hamstring. Trout has reached base in 40 consecutive games and Josh Hamilton recorded two hits in six of the last nine games for Los Angeles, which is only 4-10 since Aug. 4. The Angels did win two of three in Cleveland, Aug. 9-11.

TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, STO (Cleveland), FSN West (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Danny Salazar (1-1, 4.08 ERA) vs. Angels RH Jered Weaver (7-6, 3.49)

Salazar surrendered seven runs in his last two starts after his brilliant major-league debut in which he gave up one run and two hits over six innings against Toronto. The 23-year-old from the Dominican Republic yielded only 12 hits in 17 2/3 innings thus far, but four of them have been homers. Salazar, signed as an international free agent in 2006, has struck out 22 and held opponents to a .190 batting average.

Weaver matched his career high by allowing nine runs over five innings against the New York Yankees in his last start. The Angels' ace had gone 6-1 with a 1.72 ERA in his previous nine outings, including a victory over the Indians in which he yielded two runs in seven innings. Carlos Santana is 6-for-12 against Weaver, who is 7-2 in 15 career starts versus Cleveland with a 2.86 ERA.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cleveland LF Michael Brantley, who is 6-for-14 the last four games, has gone 212 games without an error.

2. Los Angeles 1B-OF Mark Trumbo homered in three of his last five games and owns a team-best 28,

3. The Indians are 18-8 against AL West opponents this season, despite dropping four of the last six.

PREDICTION: Indians 5, Angels 4