Series Preview: Los Angeles Angels vs. Cleveland Indians

The last time the Los Angeles Angels faced the Cleveland Indians just a week ago, the Angels took two out of three from them in Cleveland. Since then the Angels have gone 2 and 7. They will look to bounce back and find some of the same success they found last week versus the tribe.

As for the Indians, they are 7 games behind the first place Detroit Tigers in the AL Central and 4 1/2 games out of a wild card spot. They will look to gain some ground in the race for the playoffs against a struggling and injury-riddled Angels squad.

Jul 19, 2013; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher

(36) during the game against the Oakland Athletics at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Game One: Jered Weaver vs. Danny Salazar

Weaver is coming off one of his worst starts of the season where he allowed 9 earned runs in just 5 innings against the Yankees. Look for Weaver to return to his old-self against the same Cleveland club he tamed on August 9th where he went 7 strong innings and allowed just 2 runs for a victory. Meanwhile, the Angels hitters will have their hands full with late-season call-up Danny Salazar. Despite sporting an ERA over 4, Salazar has been mostly impressive in his first three big league starts, striking out 22 in just 17 2/3 innings and allowing just 12 hits.

Game Two: C.J. Wilson vs. Zach McAllister

Wilson struggled with his command against the Indians last week in Cleveland going just 5 1/3 innings on 117 pitches but bounced back nicely in the Bronx holding the red hot Yankees to just 1 run despite allowing 11 hits. He’ll be facing Illinois-native, Zach McAllister who after a strong first-half has struggled for the Indians down the stretch. In August, McAllister has an ERA over 5 in three starts.

Game Three: Jerome Williams vs. Justin Masterson

Williams started strong against the Indians last week in Cleveland but fell apart in the fifth inning allowing two home runs which allowed the tribe to stage a comeback in the final game of the series. Williams has struggled in the second-half giving up 4 or more runs in his last 9 starts. The Angels will have their hands full with Justin Masterson whose had a solid year so far for the tribe having logged just over 175 innings and sporting a cool 1.19 WHIP along with 3 complete game shut-outs. Despite struggling in August, Masterson is coming off a strong start against the Oakland A’s where he allowed 3 runs in 7 2/3 innings.