Cleveland @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 10, 2019 ) Cleveland 8, LA Angels 0

The Los Angeles Angels hope to have superstar Mike Trout back in the lineup Wednesday for the finale of their three-game series against the visiting Cleveland Indians. The Angels have struggled at the plate without the two-time MVP, who has missed the last three games due to a nerve issue in his right foot.

After cruising to a 6-2 victory in Monday's series opener, Cleveland held the Angels to four hits in Tuesday’s 8-0 win as Zach Plesac tossed his first career shutout. Jordan Luplow and Francisco Lindor homered while Franmil Reyes drove in four runs for the Indians, who remained one-half game behind Oakland for the second American League wild-card spot and five back of AL Central-leading Minnesota. The Indians have won 23 of their last 27 meetings with the Angels and the dynamic Trout, who underwent a minor cryoablation procedure on Monday and will be evaluated before the series finale. “It’s really how he feels,” Angels manager Brad Ausmus told reporters. “With the off-day on Thursday, if he hedges at all, I’m going to pull the plug. If he comes in and feels good, we have been cleared to play him.”

TV: 8:07 p.m. ET, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland), FS West (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Adam Plutko (6-4, 4.44 ERA) vs. Angels LH Dillon Peters (3-2, 4.45)

Plutko bounced back from a shaky outing against Tampa Bay but settled for a no-decision versus Minnesota on Friday after allowing two runs and seven hits in six innings. The 27-year-old Californian owns a 63-to-19 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 17 games (16 starts) this season. Plutko faced the Angels for the first time on Aug. 3 in Cleveland and recorded the victory after giving up one run in 5 1/3 frames.

Peters’ winless streak reached four games on Friday, when he allowed four runs and six hits over 4 1/3 innings in a no-decision against the Chicago White Sox. His manager remains optimistic about Peters, who is making his first career start versus Cleveland. “Other than maybe one outing, he’s given us a chance to win the ballgame,” Ausmus told reporters. “He gets swings and misses on his fastball. The curveball is big and also gets swings and misses.”

WALK-OFFS

1. Cleveland’s starting pitchers have posted a 2.99 ERA since July 30.

2. Angels RHP Hansel Robles has retired the last 22 batters he has faced.

3. Cleveland 2B Jason Kipnis is 7-for-19 with three home runs and eight RBIs against the Angels this season.

PREDICTION: Indians 7, Angels 3