Angels at Twins
The Minnesota Twins own the best record in baseball but are coming off a disappointing four-game split with the Detroit Tigers to begin a seven-game homestand. The Twins will try to bounce back when they open a three-game series on Monday against the Los Angeles Angels, who are making the final stop on a nine-game trip.
Minnesota let a late rally fizzle on Sunday and fell 5-3 in the series finale against the Tigers but are winners of 12 of its last 17 as the homer-heavy offense supports a solid rotation. The Twins pounded one homer in Sunday's setback but lost one of their biggest bats when slugging designated hitter Nelson Cruz went down with a wrist injury. The Angels had a chance to reach .500 on Sunday but were denied a three-game sweep at Baltimore when Mike Trout's solo blast accounted for the lone run in a 5-1 setback. Los Angeles could have a hard time scoring again with Twins righty Jose Berrios on the mound while it counters with left-hander Tyler Skaggs.
TV: 7:40 p.m. ET, FS West (Los Angeles), FS North (Minnesota)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels LH Tyler Skaggs (3-3, 4.70 ERA) vs. Twins RH Jose Berrios (6-1, 2.53)
Skaggs was ripped for eight runs - seven earned - and eight hits to suffer a loss at Detroit on Wednesday. The 27-year-old issued a pair of walks in that outing and is up to eight free passes in 15 2/3 total innings over three starts since coming off the injured list. Skaggs started at Minnesota on June 9 last season and scattered one run and five hits over seven innings to earn a win.
Berrios breezed through seven scoreless innings at Toronto on Tuesday to earn his fifth straight win and post his seventh quality start in eight outings. The 24-year-old is up to 51 strikeouts in 53 1/3 innings and did not issue a walk in any of his last three turns. Berrios lost his lone start against Los Angeles last season, serving up five runs on seven hits in 5 1/3 innings on the road.
WALK-OFFS
1. Trout homered twice in three games at Baltimore, bringing his season total to nine.
2. Cruz will be evaluated on Monday and is day-to-day.
3. Los Angeles on Sunday released OF Peter Bourjos, who cleared waivers after being designated for assignment.