Jered Weaver, Felix Hernandez Face Off in Series Finale

Sep 17, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels first baseman

(20) is congratulated by center fielder

(27) after hitting a three-run home run in the seventh inning against the Seattle Mariners at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Once the hangover wears off and the Advil kicks in, the Los Angeles Angels will play their first game as AL West champions.

C.J. Wilson tossed seven stellar innings of one-hit ball and C.J. Cron hit a pivotal three-run homer in the Halos’ 5-0 shutout of Seattle Wednesday night. A five-run seventh sealed Wilson’s third straight victory and first scoreless outing since May 17. With their 95th win, the Angels secured home-field advantage through the ALDS.

FanSided

As soon as Huston Street completed a seamless ninth inning the waiting game began. Forty-five minutes and a Texas-sized comeback later, Oakland essentially handed Los Angeles their first division crown since 2009.

Those lucky enough to be there, or even stay up late enough to watch the celebration on multiple television networks, witnessed the team’s sixth division title under Mike Scioscia. The Angels are on pace to set franchise records in wins (101) and win percentage.

Seattle sits two games back of Oakland and Kansas City for the final wild card spot. Baltimore trails the Angels by three for the league’s best record. With 10 games left, the Halos can’t let last night’s win deter them from staying competitive.

Pitching Matchup – Jered Weaver (17-8, 3.50 ERA) vs. Felix Hernandez (14-5, 2.14 ERA)

Jered Weaver has won five of his last six decisions, allowing nine total runs since Aug. 24. He limited Houston to one run on four hits last Friday and notched double-digit strikeouts for the first time since Opening Day 2012.

Early season concerns over his stamina and lack of velocity have simmer, especially after gaining American League highs in starts (32) and wins. The right-hander’s record may not show it, but that success includes three outings against the Mariners.

Weaver is 1-1 with a 3.93 ERA against the division rival. He’s 14-9 in 30 career starts never having won more than two in a single season. He went head-to-head with Felix Hernandez on Opening Day, yielding three earned runs over 6 1/3 innings.

Hernandez is 14-5 lifetime against the Angels, including two wins in 2014. He carries a miniscule 1.25 ERA into his second Angel Stadium outing, along with AL highs in WHIP and quality starts.

He defeated Houston in his last turn when he gave up one run and four hits and struck out a season-high 12 in seven innings. Weaver is 14-9 with a 3.29 ERA in 30 career starts against the Mariners.

The Cy Young award candidate has struck out 225 batters and is eight away from surpassing a career best set in 2010.

Walk offs:

1. Mike Trout is batting .383 with two home runs and 11 RBIs against Hernandez.
2. Scioscia is tied with Ron Gardenhire and Bruce Bochy for most division titles among active managers.
3. Josh Hamilton went 1-for-3 last night after missing 10 games with a sore shoulder.

TV: 7:05 p.m. PT, Fox Sports West, ROOT Sports

Radio: KLAA 830, 710 ESPN (Seattle)