Tampa Bay @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 14, 2019 ) Tampa Bay 3, LA Angels 1

A day after having a bit of breathing room in the American League wild-card race created for them, the Tampa Bay Rays attempt to complete a three-game series sweep when they visit the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday. The Rays posted a 3-1 victory on Saturday to open a 2 1/2-game lead for the second wild card over Cleveland, which lost both games of a doubleheader against Minnesota.

Travis d'Arnaud continued to pay dividends for Tampa Bay as he delivered a three-run double in the sixth inning to help give the team its 13th win in 16 contests. D'Arnaud, who was acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers for cash considerations in early May, ranks second on the Rays with 22 game-tying or go-ahead RBIs and is tied with Austin Meadows for the team lead in RBIs since May 11 with 63. Meadows has hit safely in every contest he has played this month, going 21-for-48 during his 13-game streak. Los Angeles, which has lost six in a row and 17 of 21, is hoping Mike Trout returns Sunday as the superstar has missed every game of the team's losing streak because of a nerve issue in his right foot.

TV: 4:07 p.m. ET, FS Sun (Tampa Bay), FS West (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays LH Ryan Yarbrough (11-3, 3.51 ERA) vs. Angels LH Patrick Sandoval (0-3, 5.28)

Yarbrough has not lost since June 13, when he surrendered five runs and five hits in six innings against the Angels. The 27-year-old Floridian, who has gone 6-0 in seven starts and eight relief appearances since the setback, fell to 2-1 with a 6.23 ERA in three career games (one start) versus Los Angeles. Yarbrough did not factor in the decision at Texas on Tuesday after permitting three runs and three hits in seven frames.

Sandoval remains in search of his first major-league victory as he makes his seventh overall start and fourth at home. The 22-year-old Californian suffered the loss against Cleveland on Monday after giving up three runs and five hits in 3 1/3 innings. Sandoval, who will be facing Tampa Bay for the first time, has completed five frames only once in his first six starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. D'Arnaud went 4-for-9 with four RBIs over the first two games of the series and has driven in at least one run in five of his last six contests.

2. Los Angeles OF Brian Goodwin recorded two of his team's six hits Saturday after going 0-for-20 over his previous five games.

3. Tampa Bay recalled RHP Jose De Leon from Triple-A Durham on Saturday, tying the franchise mark for most players on the active roster of 37 set in 2013.

PREDICTION: Rays 7, Angels 3