Blue Jays at Angels
The Los Angeles Angels are halfway to a four-game sweep and look to take another step when they host the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday. The Angels recorded a 2-1 victory on Friday to hand the Blue Jays their 10th road loss in 11 such games.
Los Angeles won the first two games of the set despite watching Mike Trout go hitless (0-for-5, three walks, three strikeouts) as he is limited to designated-hitting duties because of a sprained right index finger. Albert Pujols recorded an RBI double and scored the other Angels' run on Friday and is 8-for-24 with two homers and five RBIs during his six-game hitting streak. Toronto's Kendrys Morales is swinging a hot bat as he is 4-for-7 in the series, with Friday's two-hit effort being his ninth in his last 14 contests. The slumping Justin Smoak struck out three times in four hitless at-bats for the Blue Jays on Friday and is a frigid 5-for-44 over his last 13 games and homerless in his last 15.
TV: 9:07 p.m. ET, Sportsnet (Toronto), FS West (Los Angeles)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays RH Marcus Stroman (0-5, 7.71 ERA) vs. Angels RH Jaime Barria (5-3, 3.57)
Stroman will be activated prior to the game to make his first start since May 8. The 27-year-old has been sidelined for over six weeks due to an injured throwing shoulder but struggled prior to the injury by giving up five or more runs in four of his seven starts. Stroman is 1-1 with a 5.31 ERA in four career appearances (three starts) versus the Angels and has struggled to retire Trout and Pujols, who both are 5-for-10 against him.
Barria has lost back-to-back starts after winning five of his first six decisions. The 21-year-old was torched for six runs and six hits over four innings by Arizona in his last turn as he served up two home runs for the second straight outing. Barria is 2-2 with a 3.96 ERA in five home starts.
WALK-OFFS
1. Blue Jays RHP Roberto Osuna was suspended 75 games without pay through Aug. 4 - receiving credit for time served - for his violation of Major League Baseball's Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse policy.
2. The Angels recalled Deck McGuire, who was acquired from Texas earlier this week, from Triple-A Salt Lake and optioned fellow RHP Eduardo Paredes to the same affiliate.
3. Toronto activated LF Steve Pearce (oblique) and placed RHP Danny Barnes (knee) on the 10-day disabled list.