Los Angeles @ Tampa Bay preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 19, 2012 ) Tampa Bay 8, LA Angels 3

The Tampa Bay Rays look to continue their domination when they face the Los Angeles Angels for the first time this season Tuesday to start a three-game series at home. The Rays took nine of 10 against the Angels in 2012 – including four shutouts-- and have won 12 of the last 13 overall. Tampa Bay needs a boost after dropping two straight to trail Boston by 1 ½ games in the American League East and the Angels come in off winning three consecutive games at Seattle.

Evan Longoria has homered eight times in 29 career games against the Angels and leads the Rays with 28 blasts and 71 RBIs. Los Angeles, which is 11-13 against AL East opponents, allowed only two runs in the last three games and sends its team-leader in wins C.J. Wilson (13) to the mound. Josh Hamilton is 7-for-16 in the last four games for the Angels.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FSN West (Los Angeles), Sun Sports (Tampa Bay)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels LH C.J. Wilson (13-6, 3.30 ERA) vs. Rays RH Roberto Hernandez (6-13, 4.97)

Wilson has gone eight starts without a loss, yielding two or fewer in his last three while going 2-0. The veteran left-hander was unbeaten against Tampa Bay until last season when he lost both decisions and finished with a 5.40 ERA in three outings. Ben Zobrist is 6-for-23 with a pair of homers against Wilson, who is 4-2 in 20 career appearances (seven starts) with a 3.24 ERA versus the Rays.

Hernandez, who made an appearance out of the bullpen last Friday, could be making his last start with Matt Moore close to a return. The right-hander is 0-2 while allowing 13 runs (12 earned) over 14 1/3 innings in his last three starts. Hamilton is 7-for-22 with a homer versus Hernandez, who is 0-4 in 11 career games (eight starts) against the Angels while boasting a 2.20 ERA.

WALK-OFFS

1. Tampa Bay OF Matt Joyce has nine hits in 17 at-bats with six RBIs over the last six games, but has a .189 career batting average against the Angels.

2. Los Angeles 2B Grant Green is 19-for-57 since being acquired at the trade deadline from Oakland where he was hitless in 15 at-bats.

3. Rays RHP Fernando Rodney (30 saves), who pitched for the Angels in 2010 and 2011, has allowed an earned run in only two of his last 27 outings since mid June.

PREDICTION: Angels 5, Rays 3