Chicago @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Mar 15, 2018 ) Chi. White Sox 7, LA Angels 2

Mike Trout hasn't provided the same MVP-caliber production recently that the Los Angeles Angels have come to expect from him, and his team has suffered as a result. The seven-time All-Star showed he might be ready to return to his dominant form in his last game, and the Angels hope Sunday's offensive breakthrough is a sign of things to come as they host the Chicago White Sox on Monday for the opener of their four-game series.

Trout registered only one homer and two RBIs from June 21-July 21 - a stretch during which Los Angeles went from 9 1/2 games down in the American League West to 16 behind division-leading Houston. The two-time MVP matched that output with one swing in Sunday's 14-5 rout of the Astros, capping a seven-run seventh inning with a two-run blast to give the Angels their highest-scoring effort of the season after the club had totaled 11 runs over its previous five contests. The White Sox entered the All-Star break winning three of four, but the worst road team in the major leagues fell to 15-35 away from Chicago after dropping two of three in Seattle over the weekend. Recent history does not bode well for the White Sox to turn things around at Los Angeles, as they have dropped 14 of their last 15 visits to Angel Stadium.

TV: 10:07 p.m. ET, NBCS Chicago Plus, FS West (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox RH Lucas Giolito (6-8, 6.18 ERA) vs. Angels RH Jaime Barria (5-6, 3.55)

Giolito led the AL at the break with 61 walks, but he recently has started to show the promise that made him the centerpiece of the trade with Washington involving Adam Eaton two winters ago. The 24-year-old has held three of his last four opponents to fewer than three runs while logging a minimum of 6 1/3 innings in each of those solid efforts. Ian Kinsler (0-for-2) and Justin Upton (0-for-3) are the only Angels that have faced Giolito, who has issued at least two walks in 18 of his 19 outings this season.

Barria is expected to be recalled from Single-A Inland Empire for his first action of any kind since suffering the loss against Seattle on July 11, when he gave up three runs and five hits while recording five strikeouts in as many innings. The 22-year-old Panamanian, who did not appear in any games with the 66ers, has limited the opposition to three runs or fewer in six of his last seven major-league turns. Barria is limiting left-handed hitters to a .198 average entering his first career start against Chicago.

WALK-OFFS

1. Angels DH Albert Pujols is expected to return to the lineup Monday after a stint on the disabled list due to left knee inflammation. He is tied with Ken Griffey Jr. (630) for sixth place on the all-time home run list.

2. The White Sox are 8-19 against AL West foes, including a 2-11 mark on the road.

3. Trout's two-run homer marked the first time he drove in a teammate in 25 games.

PREDICTION: Angels 6, White Sox 4