Angels at Tigers
The Los Angeles Angels have answered a sterling 6-1 stretch by hemorrhaging runs in three of their last four contests. After surrendering 36 runs in that stretch, the Angels aim to regain their composure on Thursday afternoon as they vie for a series victory in the rubber match of the three-game set against the host Detroit Tigers.
Mike Trout went 0-for-4 with a season high-tying three strikeouts in Wednesday's 10-3 setback against the Tigers to fall to 1-for-14 in his last four games while fellow slugger Albert Pujols is 0-for-14 since he homered for his 1,999th RBI on Saturday. Jonathan Lucroy isn't having those issues at the plate, as he homered and drove in a pair of runs to give him four blasts, seven RBIs and five runs scored during his six-game hitting streak. Detroit's Ronny Rodriguez, who drove in a career-high four runs on Wednesday, has collected 11 hits and eight RBIs in his last seven games. The Tigers will bid to record consecutive victories for the first time since winning three in a row from April 21-23.
TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, FS West (Los Angeles), FS Detroit
PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels TBA vs. Tigers LH Ryan Carpenter (2018: 1-2, 7.25 ERA)
Los Angeles hasn't announced which pitcher will serve as an "opener" for Felix Pena (1-1, 4.05 ERA), who picked up his first win on May 1 after allowing three runs and four hits in 4 1/3 innings versus Toronto. The 29-year-old Pena was taken deep twice by the Blue Jays for the second time in three outings and appeared to tire toward the end of his outing, prompting reporters to ask manager Brad Ausmus about his durability. "I don't really read into it, but we're aware of it," Ausmus said. "I mean, the truth is, if we decide that Pena is best at a 45 to 50 pitch count, then maybe we'll utilize him in that fashion, but we just haven’t gotten to that point yet."
Carpenter is expected to be recalled from Triple-A Toledo to take the place of Tyson Ross, who will be given an extra day of rest to work out the kinks of a stiff back. The 28-year-old Carpenter made six trips to the mound in 2018 for Detroit, with one coming against the Angels. Carpenter served up a solo homer for his lone run allowed and five hits over four innings in a no-decision versus Los Angeles on May 31.
WALK-OFFS
1. Los Angeles 2B David Fletcher has belted a lead-off homer in two of his last three games.
2. Detroit 3B Jeimer Candelaro is 0-for-12 in his last three contests.
3. Angels SS Andrelton Simmons is 4-for-9 with two RBIs and a run scored in this series.