The Angels finish off their road trip in Tampa Bay, facing the second place Rays tonight at 4:10. A series win will be their sixth consecutive road series win of the season.
Jon Garland will make the start to go for his fifth win of the season. He has a 5-1 career record against the Rays, going 3-0 with a 2.62 ERA at Tropicana Field. Garland is fresh off a win of Baltimore, where he gave up just three hits in eight strong innings. The Rays will start James Shields, who stands at 3-2 with a 3.80 ERA. Shields is coming off a loss on Saturday against Boston, giving up seven runs on ten hits in 3 2/3.
The Angels will be seeing some familiar faces in the series with the Rays. Troy Percival, the Angels closer in their most recent World Championship team, is now with the Rays. Mike Scioscia also managed with Joe Maddon as bench coach for six years in Anaheim. Maddon is now in his third year in managing the Rays, who have shown that they can be as good in the AL East as the Red Sox and Yankees.
Updates:
Howie Kendrick’s return has been pushed back yet again. He is still feeling soreness in his hamstring, so will likely sit out this entire series and return with the team at home after this weekend.
John Lackey is scheduled to make his fourth and final rehab start today in Tempe. He should be activated by next week, with a possible season debut during the week’s series with the White Sox.
