Los Angeles @ Milwaukee preview
Miller Park
Last Meeting ( Aug 31, 2013 ) LA Angels 6, Milwaukee 5
It's likely too late for Los Angeles in terms of the playoffs, but the Angels are building some momentum to take into the offseason. Los Angeles has won seven of eight going into the finale of a three-game road series with the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday. Hank Conger kept the hot streak going with a pinch-hit, two-run homer with two outs in the ninth Saturday, lifting the Angels to a 6-5 win. It was a stunning late-inning collapse for the Brewers, who had been 50-0 when leading after eight innings.
Angels left-hander C.J. Wilson looks to remain unbeaten since July 5 as he makes his first start against Milwaukee. Los Angeles is highly unlikely to become a factor in the playoff race, sitting 16 games behind American League West leader Texas and 13 1/2 back of Tampa Bay for the second wild card with 28 contests remaining. The Brewers are even further back but have a two-game cushion over the Chicago Cubs as they try to stay out of the National League Central cellar.
TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, FSN West (Los Angeles), FSN Wisconsin (Milwaukee)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels LH C.J. Wilson (13-6, 3.36 ERA) vs. Brewers RH Kyle Lohse (9-8, 3.39)
Wilson has won five straight decisions and nine of his last 10. He wasn't his sharpest last time out, though, allowing three runs and walking five in as many innings against the Tampa Bay Rays. The 32-year-old has faced the Brewers twice - both as a reliever in 2007 - and gave up two runs in one-third of an inning.
Lohse had allowed three or fewer earned runs in seven straight starts before he was tagged for five runs and a career-high 13 hits in 5 1/3 innings against Pittsburgh. The 34-year-old has won eight of his last 10 decisions and has been the Brewers' most consistent starter the past three months. Lohse didn't fare well against the Angels during his time in the American League, going 4-5 with a 6.79 ERA in 11 meetings.
WALK-OFFS
1. Angels CF J.B. Shuck has four multi-hit games during a six-game hitting streak. He is 11-for-26 over that stretch.
2. Milwaukee 2B Scooter Gennett is riding a six-game hitting streak and has 10 multi-hit games in 25 contests since being recalled July 30.
3. Angels C Chris Iannetta, who hit a home run Saturday, is 3-for-8 with a double and four walks against Lohse.
PREDICTION: Angels 5, Brewers 3