Game No. 12: Los Angeles Angels (5-6) vs. New York Mets (5-6)

Apr 1, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels starter C.J. Wilson (33) delivers a pitch against the Seattle Mariners at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

There was a time when Angels fans looked forward to Barolo Colon taking the Angels Stadium mound. He earned a Cy Young award in 2005 and should have been the Angels’ ace for the next two years before injuries marred his relationship with the team. It doesn’t look like Colon has forgotten, dominating his former team over the last five years.

Today, the Angels need to beat Colon and the New York Mets if they want their first home-series win of the season. With Angels relievers worn from back-to-back extra inning affairs, a majority of that burden falls on C.J. Wilson.

Pitching Matchup: C.J. Wilson (1-1, 4.61 ERA) vs. Bartolo Colon (1-1, 2.08 ERA)

Wilson bounced back from his disappointing first start to subdue Houston hitters last Monday, pitching eight innings of one-run baseball. He showed the control that resulted in a team leading 17 wins in 2013. With the Mets, Wilson faces a similarly offensive-challenged.

New York entered Saturday’s game 29^th in the Majors in on-base percentage and batting average. Figure that into Wilson’s 5-0 record over his last nine interleague starts and the odds fall into his favor. His only previous appearance against the Mets was a disaster. In 2008, he allowed two runs and three hits in one inning but still picked up a save for the Texas Rangers.

Colon was a vital part to the Angels’ ALCS run in 2005. Unfortunately, the Cy Young award winner battled various arm injuries over the next two years, forcing the team to cut him. Since, he’s made them pay for the choice, stifling Halo batters as a member of four different AL teams. Lifetime, Colon has a 12-6 record with a 3.16 ERA and four shutouts against the Angels.

Following a quality first outing, Colon shut out the Atlanta Braves through seven innings last Tuesday. He is by all accounts the ace of the staff since Matt Harvey isn’t likely to pitch this year. Colon also has 30 wins and a career 4.24 ERA at Angels Stadium.

Walk offs:

The weekend series marks the Mets’ first visit to Angels Stadium since 2008.
Raul Ibanez notched his 2,000^th career hit last night, a three-run homer that sent the game into extra innings.
Mike Trout, who stole 33 bases in 2013, is still looking for his first this year.

Forecast: Low clouds will give way to sunshine, temperature in the high-60s

TV: 12.35 p.m., Fox Sport West, SNY (New York)

Radio: KLAA 830, 710 WOR (New York)