White Sox at Angels
The Los Angeles Angels’ playoff hopes have been trending south in recent weeks, but manager Mike Scioscia remains bullish on his team’s chances. Scioscia’s squad is 3 1/2 games back of Houston in the AL West and a half-game behind Toronto for the second wild-card spot heading into Tuesday’s contest against the Chicago White Sox, who opened a seven-game road trip with a 2-1 loss in Monday’s series opener.
"Our team isn’t that far off from the team that was just rocking it for three or four weeks right around the All-Star break and after,” Scioscia told reporters. “We have to get deeper, no doubt. We have to get contributions one to nine.” The Angels received a boost Monday from C.J. Cron, who was moved to the fifth spot in the order and belted a solo homer among his two hits, giving him 13 hits in his last 31 at-bats. Los Angeles has won six straight at home against the White Sox, whose bullpen is well-rested following back-to-back strong outings by Chris Sale and Carlos Rodon. Chicago first baseman Jose Abreu, who was hit by a pitch twice Monday, is hitting .326 with eight home runs and 22 RBI during his last 25 games.
TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, CSN (Chicago), FSN West (Los Angeles)
PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox LH John Danks (6-9, 4.58 ERA) vs. Angels RH Garrett Richards (11-9, 3.55)
Danks looks to repeat his performance from Wednesday, when he received a no-decision after holding the Angels to one run over 7 1/3 innings in Chicago’s 3-2 loss. The Texas native has struggled on the road this season, going 2-6 with a 6.09 ERA in 10 starts. Danks is 3-4 with a 2.94 ERA in 12 career starts against the Angels while limiting Erick Aybar to five hits in 29 at-bats.
Richards has allowed at least three runs in each of his last five starts, including Thursday when he yielded three runs over six frames against Kansas City. The 27-year-old has recorded a quality start in 16 of his 22 outings this season. Richards is 1-0 with a 5.14 ERA in seven career games (one start) against the White Sox, including eight strong innings July 1, 2014.
WALK-OFFS
1. LF David Murphy has 10 hits in his last 30 at-bats after going 4-for-23 to open his Angels career.
2. The White Sox are 14-5 against AL West opponents.
3. The Angels have won six of their last eight home games.