Los Angeles @ Tampa Bay preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 31, 2018 ) LA Angels 6, Tampa Bay 10

The Tampa Bay Rays fell victim to three straight offensive explosions before unleashing one of their own in the series opener against the Los Angeles Angels. Fueled by a seven-run fourth inning, the Rays (54-53) vie for a series victory over the visiting Angels (54-54) on Wednesday in the second contest of a three-game set.

Carlos Gomez capped the fourth-inning uprising with a two-run single for his second hit of the frame for Tampa Bay, which had been outscored 37-12 by lowly Baltimore heading into the series. Tommy Pham, who was somewhat of a surprise trade deadline acquisition given the Rays' standing, is expected to be in the lineup for Wednesday's tilt, manager Kevin Cash announced. Mike Trout joined exclusive company by going deep on Tuesday to become just the second major league player (Willie Mays) to hit 30 homers and steal 20 bases in a season three times before the age of 26. Trout is 9-for-22 with four homers, six RBIs and nine runs scored during his six-game hitting streak.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels RH Nick Tropeano (4-5, 4.82 ERA) vs. Rays RH Tyler Glasnow (1-2, 4.34)

Tropeano overcame five solo homers to strike out seven in 6 1/3 innings on Thursday in a 12-8 victory over the Chicago White Sox. The 27-year-old was taken deep twice against Tampa Bay on May 18 as he fell to 0-2 with a 6.23 ERA in three career starts versus the club after permitting four runs in 2 2/3 innings of an 8-3 setback. Daniel Robertson went deep in that contest and is 2-for-2 versus Tropeano, who has limited the rest of the current crop of Rays to going just 2-for-9 with three strikeouts.

Glasnow was acquired along with outfielder Austin Meadows from Pittsburgh in exchange for right-hander Chris Archer prior to Tuesday's deadline. The Rays are bidding to have the 24-year-old Glasnow work two to four innings before the returning Jake Faria will come on in relief, per the Tampa Bay Times. Glasnow, who has made all 34 of his appearances in relief this season, walked four in three innings of a no-decision versus the New York Mets on Thursday in his last outing.

WALK-OFFS

1. Tampa Bay C Michael Perez is 7-for-14 with two doubles and two runs scored in four games.

2. Los Angeles OF Kole Calhoun has 18 hits -- including seven homers -- in his last 13 games.

3. Rays 3B Matt Duffy had three hits in the opener to give him five singles in the last three contests after going 1-for-20 in his previous five.

PREDICTION: Angels 6, Rays 2