MLB Game Preview - LA Angels at Boston
Sun Aug 11, 2019 1:05 PM EDT

LAA
5
BOS
4
F(10)
HOU
7
BAL
8
F
NYY
1
TOR
0
F
ATL
5
MIA
4
F
WSH
7
NYM
4
F
CHC
6
CIN
3
F
KC
10
DET
2
F
CLE
7
MIN
3
F(10)
TEX
1
MIL
0
F
OAK
2
CHW
0
F
PIT
9
STL
11
F
COL
8
SD
3
F
TB
1
SEA
0
F
ARI
3
LAD
9
F
PHI
6
SF
9
F
Trout looks to lead Angels to split in Boston
Sun Aug 11, 2019 2:14 AM

His first career home run at Fenway Park finally under his belt, Mike Trout now can turn his attention to his next milestone: a 40-homer season.

The American League MVP front-runner enters Sunday one away from the mark as his Los Angeles Angels take on the host Boston Red Sox in the finale of a four-game series.

Trout hit No. 39 to tie for the major league lead Saturday as the Angels won 12-4 to avenge a 16-4 loss the night prior. The victory snapped a season-long eight-game losing streak for the club while also ending a stretch of eight straight losses to the Red Sox.

Left-hander Patrick Sandoval (0-0, 3.60 ERA) will take the mound for his first major league start as Los Angeles seeks a series split. Right-hander Andrew Cashner (10-7, 4.68) gets the nod for Boston.

Trout's homer Saturday, a two-run shot, gave the Angels a 5-1 lead at the time and marked his first in Boston in 104 career plate appearances. Fenway was the last AL park in which he hadn't homered -- in fact, he has at least four at every other AL park.

"I've hit a couple off the (Green Monster) that I probably thought would have been homers but hit the wall," Trout told reporters. "So it is what it is."

The blast came off Red Sox starter Rick Porcello, who had retired 14 straight Angels prior to Kole Calhoun singling just ahead of Trout.

"Honestly, the worst part about that is that was the best hitter, and that was the worst pitch I threw the entire day," Porcello said. "And that's what happens."

Trout now has gone yard five times in his last nine games and is riding a nine-game hitting streak. He appears set to shatter his career high of 41 homers hit in 2015 and will join Troy Glaus as the only Angels players with multiple 40-homer campaigns if he gets one more.

Trout is only 1-for-8 in his career off Cashner, but the hard-throwing hurler has been in a funk since joining the Red Sox. In five starts with Boston, he's 1-4 with a 7.53 ERA, serving up seven homers in 28 2/3 innings.

His last time out, Cashner was tagged for six runs in 5 1/3 innings against the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday, giving up three bombs.

"I just think I've made too many mistakes and they've hammered them here when I've made them," Cashner said. "I've pitched up here for a long time so this has probably been one of the toughest stretches of my career."

Lifetime against the Angels, he's 1-0 with a 3.27 ERA in six appearances (three starts).

Getting Cashner on track is a priority for the Red Sox as they try to play their way back into the wild-card picture. Saturday's loss was their 10th in their last 13 games.

Boston will take its chances with the rookie Sandoval after the 22-year-old impressed in his debut against the Cincinnati Reds last week. Sandoval gave up two runs on three hits and two walks in five innings, striking out eight.

"It was an excellent first (outing)," Angels manager Brad Ausmus said. "He should be happy with the way he pitched."

--Field Level Media

Team Record Comparison

Team Standings GB W-L Aw/Hm Stk L10
LA Angels            
Boston            

Scheduled Starting Pitchers

Patrick Sandoval - LAA
Matchup
Season
vs. Opp Has not pitched vs. Boston
Andrew Cashner - (N/A)
Matchup
Season
vs. Opp Has not pitched vs. LA Angels

Hot Batters (Last 10 team games)

Injury Report

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