Angels at Cubs
The Chicago Cubs will try to wrap up a two-game sweep of the visiting Los Angeles Angels - and match their season-high five-game winning streak in the process - on Wednesday. Chicago pounded five home runs to win the opener 7-2 and pull within eight games of .500 for the first time since June 1. The Angels have won 10 of their last 13 but still are 10 games back of Oakland in the American League West.
The Angels' biggest disappointment has been their starting pitching, but Wednesday's starter - C.J. Wilson - has been an exception and will look to salvage a split. Chicago has enjoyed interleague play this season, going 13-6 against the American League, while the Angels are 6-10 vs. the National League. The Cubs can clinch the season series with a win, as the teams split a pair of games at Los Angeles last month.
TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, FSN West (Los Angeles), WGN (Chicago)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels LH C.J. Wilson (8-6, 3.49 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Jeff Samardzija (5-8, 3.54)
Wilson had his four-start winning streak snapped last time out despite turning in another quality start, as he allowed three runs - one earned - over 6 2/3 innings in a loss to Boston. Wilson has made one start and one relief appearance against the Cubs in his career, going 0-1 with a 5.87 ERA. He never has pitched at Wrigley Field.
Samardzija had three strong performances in a row before struggling to command his splitter last time out and was reached for five runs over six innings in a loss to Pittsburgh. He issued a season-high five walks and hit a batter while snapping a streak of three straight quality starts. Samardzija never has faced the Angels.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Cubs are 6-40 when allowing four or more runs and 34-8 when giving up three or fewer.
2. Chicago LF Alfonso Soriano is batting .400 with eight home runs and 17 RBIs over his past 11 games. Soriano is 2-for-2 with a homer against Wilson.
3. Angels 1B Albert Pujols has 55 career home runs against the Cubs, his most against any team. Pujols is 5-for-12 with two blasts against Samardzija.