Angels at Padres
The San Diego Padres played their last three series against teams in playoff contention and held their own, winning six of 10 against the Chicago Cubs, Milwaukee and Philadelphia. The Padres will try to snuff out what little postseason hope still remains for the Los Angeles Angels when they host the opener of their three-game interleague series on Monday.
San Diego is sitting in last place in the National League West at 24 games under .500 (48-72) but is building for the future and received encouraging pitching performances from Joey Lucchesi (25) and Jacob Nix (22) while taking two of three from the NL East-leading Phillies over the weekend. Shortstop Freddy Galvis, who is a free agent after the season, is trying to make himself a part of that future as he belted a grand slam to back Lucchesi in Sunday's 9-3 triumph. The Angels looked set to jump back into the American League wild-card race while stretching a winning streak to four games with a win over Oakland on Friday but could not find a way around the Athletics - who own the second wild card - on Saturday or Sunday and sit 11 1/2 games back in the standings. Los Angeles will send Andrew Heaney to the mound on Tuesday while the Padres counter with veteran Clayton Richard.
TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, FS West (Los Angeles), FS San Diego
PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels LH Andrew Heaney (7-7, 3.96 ERA) vs. Padres LH Clayton Richard (7-10, 5.13)
Heaney recorded a win over Detroit on Tuesday despite watching his ERA jump as he allowed five runs and eight hits in five innings. The 27-year-old posted a 2.88 ERA in five outings in July but has yielded nine runs and 14 hits over 11 frames in his first two turns this month. Heaney will be facing the Padres for the first time in his career but is 2-6 with a 5.23 ERA in nine interleague contests.
Richard is winless in his last eight starts and has failed to record an out in the sixth inning of any of his last four turns. The 34-year-old has registered 17 strikeouts and 26 walks in those eight outings and was reached for five runs and seven hits - two homers - over five frames at Milwaukee on Tuesday. Richard is making his first start against the Angels but is 9-6 with a 3.70 ERA in 24 career interleague appearances (19 starts).
WALK-OFFS
1. Angels LF Justin Upton has gone 8-for-19 with two doubles, three homers and seven RBIs during his five-game hitting streak.
2. Los Angeles LHP Tyler Skaggs (adductor) was placed on the 10-day disabled list on Sunday.
3. Padres 1B-OF Wil Myers (foot) began a rehab assignment on Sunday and is working at third base.