Blue Jays at Angels
Mike Trout is no stranger to putting up gaudy numbers, as the two-time American League Most Valuable Player leads the majors in homers (23), runs (60) and on-base percentage (.469). Another number enters into play on Thursday as Trout will play in his 1,000th career contest as the Los Angeles Angels (39-35) open a four-game series versus the visiting Toronto Blue Jays (34-39).
Trout is hitting a staggering 16-for-23 with four homers, nine RBIs and 11 walks during his eight-game hitting streak to boost his June batting average to a robust .448 (26-for-58). "This is not an easy game and this guy makes it look easier and easier every year, so it's a special talent that we're not going to see too many times, so enjoy it now," fellow outfielder Kole Calhoun said. Trout's heroics aside, Los Angeles has emerged victorious in just two of its last nine heading into a tilt with Toronto, which has answered a demoralizing 4-15 stretch by winning nine of its last 15. Former Angel Kendrys Morales celebrated his 35th birthday with a two-run homer in the Blue Jays' 5-4 victory over Atlanta on Wednesday afternoon.
TV: 10:07 p.m. ET, MLB Network, Sportsnet (Toronto), FS West (Los Angeles)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays RH Aaron Sanchez (3-5, 4.35 ERA) vs. Angels LH Tyler Skaggs (6-4, 2.81)
Sanchez recorded his second straight no-decision on Friday despite striking out a season high-tying eight battlers and allowing three runs in six innings against Washington. The 25-year-old California native also received a no-decision in his last encounter versus the Angels on May 23 despite scattering two hits over five frames -- albeit with five walks. Sanchez owns an 0-1 mark with a 2.03 ERA in three career appearances against the Angels, with Justin Upton (5-for-10) and Ian Kinsler (1-for-12) finding themselves on opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of success against the hurler.
Skaggs improved to 3-0 with an 0.45 ERA in his last three starts after yielding two runs and striking out eight over seven innings in an 8-4 triumph at Oakland. The 26-year-old owns a 2-2 mark with a 4.11 ERA in five career starts versus Toronto, although he walked away with a no-decision despite surrendering two homers over five frames on May 23. Yangervis Solarte and Devon Travis went deep against Skaggs in that last outing, although the remainder of the Blue Jays are 13-for-51 with 11 strikeouts versus the hurler.
WALK-OFFS
1. Toronto RHP Marcus Stroman (shoulder) will return from the disabled list to start Saturday's game, manager John Gibbons said on Wednesday.
2. Eight of Kinsler's 10 homers this season have come in his last 20 games.
3. Morales has seven multi-hit performances this month, which matches his total from April and May combined.