Los Angeles @ Tampa Bay preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 1, 2018 ) LA Angels 2, Tampa Bay 7

The Tampa Bay Rays have recovered nicely from an embarrassing weekend in Baltimore and can finish off a three-game sweep of the visiting Los Angeles Angels on Thursday afternoon. The Rays gave up 37 runs while losing three straight to the major league-worst Orioles, but a day off Monday appeared to be refreshing as they have scored 17 times in two straight wins over the Angels.

Outfielder Tommy Pham (0-for-3, one run) made his debut Wednesday after being acquired from St. Louis on Tuesday, while rookie Jake Bauers homered for the third straight game as Tampa Bay improved to 19-4 at home since June 11. “I was contemplating giving him a day (off Thursday),” Rays manager Kevin Cash told reporters of Bauers. “But we’ll pick another day to give him.” Joey Wendle takes a six-game hitting streak into the series finale against Angels left-hander Andrew Heaney and reliever Hunter Wood will open the contest for the Rays. Los Angeles has lost three straight, allowing 25 runs in the process, but Albert Pujols and Kole Calhoun have hit safely in seven straight contests and All-Star Mike Trout is 9-for-25 during the same stretch despite going hitless Wednesday.

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, FS West (Los Angeles), FS Sun (Tampa Bay)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels LH Andrew Heaney (6-6, 3.64 ERA) vs. Rays RH Hunter Wood (0-0, 3.38)

Heaney is unbeaten in his last four outings (2-0) and has strung together five consecutive quality starts and seven in his past eight appearances. The 27-year-old Oklahoma State product, who is 0-4 with a 5.22 ERA on the road, registered a 2.88 mark with 35 strikeouts and eight walks across 34 1/3 innings during July. Heaney gave up four runs - none earned - along with three hits and five walks to suffer a loss on May 19 in his first career meeting with the Rays.

Wood gave up two runs on four hits with four strikeouts in 1 2/3 innings of relief in his last trip to the mound Sunday against Baltimore. The 24-year-old Arkansas native has permitted one run on five hits with seven strikeouts over 4 2/3 innings in three starts this year and newly-acquired left-hander Jalen Beeks is expected to make an early appearance as well. Wood faces the Angels for the first time in his career and owns a 2.70 ERA in five appearances at home in 2018.

WALK-OFFS

1. Trout recorded his 99th walk Wednesday and needs one for his third season with at least 100 in his career.

2. The Rays designated SS Adeiny Hechavarria for assignment Wednesday to make room on the roster for Pham.

3. Pujols needs three doubles to tie Honus Wagner (640) for ninth on major league baseball’s all-time list.

PREDICTION: Rays 5, Angels 4