Pirates at Angels
The Los Angeles Angels will attempt to keep Pedro Alvarez in the ballpark and avoid being swept as they host the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday in the finale of a three-game series. Pittsburgh won the first two games as Gerrit Cole and Francisco Liriano produced strong pitching performances. Alvarez belted a solo home run in each contest and has gone deep in three straight games while collecting seven RBIs.
After winning their previous two series, the Angels have scored a total of three runs in the first two contests of this set. Los Angeles began its 10-game homestand by taking two of three from the New York Yankees, then won three of four meetings with the American League West-rival Seattle Mariners. Angels outfielder Josh Hamilton sat out the first two games of this series and is likely to miss the finale with a sore right wrist.
TV: 3:35 p.m. ET, ROOT Sports (Pittsburgh), FSN West (Los Angeles)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH Charlie Morton (1-1, 1.74 ERA) vs. Angels RH Joe Blanton (1-10, 5.62)
Morton will be making his third start since returning from Tommy John surgery. The 29-year-old lost his season debut before scattering three hits over 5 1/3 innings in a victory over the Reds in Cincinnati on Tuesday. Morton notched the win in his only career start against the Angels, allowing three runs and five hits over six frames in his major-league debut with the Atlanta Braves.
Blanton is 0-3 over his last four starts despite yielding three or fewer runs in three of those outings. The portly 32-year-old settled for a no-decision against Seattle on Tuesday despite giving up just two runs over 6 2/3 innings. Blanton is 2-2 with a 4.66 ERA in seven career games (six starts) vs. the Pirates.
WALK-OFFS
1. Blanton has recorded 11 strikeouts in two of his last three starts.
2. The Pirates are 8-3 against the AL this season, while the Angels are 4-7 vs. the National League.
3. Pittsburgh, which is 4-2 on its nine-game road trip, received nine of its 10 hits Saturday from the last five batters in the lineup.
PREDICTION: Angels 4, Pirates 3