Twins at Angels
The Los Angeles Angels were successful in ending Jake Odorizzi's run of scoreless innings at 22 in last week's encounter, however the right-hander was able to pick up his sixth straight win following a wild 8-7 victory. The Angels aim to get the better of Odorizzi on Monday when they open a three-game series against the visiting Minnesota Twins.
Mike Trout had a pair of hits in Los Angeles' 5-1 loss to Kansas City on Sunday to improve to 10-for-24 with two homers, three RBIs and six runs scored in his last seven games. The two-time American League Most Valuable Player, who is 5-for-10 in his career versus Odorizzi, went 4-for-13 as the Angels lost two of three to the Twins last week. Minnesota saw its bid for a four-game sweep of Seattle go by the boards on Sunday, despite a four-hit performance by Jorge Polanco. The 25-year-old has scored six times during his seven-game hitting streak, with five hits and three runs scored coming against Los Angeles.
TV: 10:07 p.m. ET, FS North (Minnesota), FS West (Los Angeles)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Jake Odorizzi (6-2, 2.63 ERA) vs. Angels RH Taylor Cole (0-0, 4.91)
Odorizzi overcame Tommy La Stella's solo homer and Jonathan Lucroy's two-run blast in the meeting with Los Angeles on Wednesday, although the nine hits he allowed were more than the sum of his previous three starts (seven). The 29-year-old has split four decisions on the road with a 4.76 ERA, as opposed to a 4-0 mark with a 1.45 ERA at home. Albert Pujols is 0-for-10 with three strikeouts against Odorizzi, who sports a 1-3 record with a 5.87 ERA and 1.73 WHIP in six career starts against the Angels.
Cole is expected to serve as the "opener" and make his second appearance versus Minnesota, against which he struck out four and tossed two scoreless innings in a no-decision last Tuesday. The 29-year-old is expected to give way to Felix Pena (2-1, 3.49 ERA), who reportedly has grown comfortable in this role and collected 37 strikeouts in 38 2/3 innings this season. Pena allowed three runs on five hits over five innings against the Twins on Tuesday.
WALK-OFFS
1. Minnesota LF Eddie Rosario had four hits and two RBIs in the previous series with Los Angeles.
2. Angels C Kevan Smith, who reached base three times on Sunday, is riding a five-game hitting streak.
3. Minnesota CF Byron Buxton is just 2-for-11 in his last three contests following his six-game hitting streak.