(Best E Casino) - The American League West-leading LA Angels of Anaheim can pull away from the division-rival
Oakland Athletics tonight, when the two ballclubs get together for the first of three straight games at McAfee Coliseum.
The Angels are 3 1/2 games ahead of the Athletics in the division standings and have won a season-high five straight games, including a three-game sweep of the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field to open a six-game road trip. In Thursday's 5-4 victory in the series finale, Torii Hunter had two RBI and Maicer Izturis, Howie Kendrick and Gary Matthews Jr. added two hits apiece in a winning effort.
Anaheim starter Jered Weaver registered the win and permitted four runs on 10 hits through six frames. Closer Francisco Rodriguez hurled a perfect ninth inning to post his 24th save of the season. The Angels, who are 19-11 as the visitor in 2008, own the best record in the AL at 37-24.
John Lackey will make his fifth start of the season tonight, as he is 1-1 with a 1.80 earned run average in four starts. Lackey is 0-1 over his last two starts, posting a no decision on May 31 versus the Toronto Blue Jays. He yielded just two runs -- one earned -- on six hits through eight innings of a 3-2 victory.
The right-hander, who had 19 wins last season, has enjoyed success over the years against the AL West-rival Athletics. Lackey is 12-3 with a shutout and a 2.84 ERA in 23 career starts, and 6-1 with a 1.87 ERA over his last eight in this series.
Oakland is riding a four-game winning streak and just swept the Detroit Tigers in three games to open a six-game homestand. It improved to 20-13 by the bay this season with a 10-2 pounding of Detroit in Thursdays series finale, as Carlos Gonzalez highlighted a six-run seventh inning with a three-run double. Bobby Crosby knocked in two runs and Travis Buck homered for the A's, whose current win streak has come on the heels of a four-game slide.
Justin Duchscherer allowed only two baserunners over the first five innings for Oakland and allowed two runs in 6 2/3 innings for the win. Fellow Athletics starter Joe Blanton has struggled this season, having pitched to a 3-7 record and 4.27 ERA in 13 starts. Blanton will pitch tonight and is 1-3 in his previous four decisions and suffered a loss on May 31 at Texas.
In the 8-4 setback at Rangers Ballpark, Blanton surrendered six runs and 10 hits after six innings. The righty, who is just 1-5 in nine home starts, will try to improve on his career record against the Angels tonight. Blanton is 3-6 with a 3.56 ERA in 14 career appearances (11 starts) in the series with Anaheim.
Oakland and Los Angeles split four meetings this season at Angel Stadium from April 28-May 1.
