(Sports Network) - Expect an outstanding pitchers' duel today as the LA Angels of Anaheim attempt to complete a four-game sweep of the visiting Seattle Mariners. Seattle has reason to play with confidence today, as Felix Hernandez will be on the mound. The Mariners' ace is 8-7 with a 3.22 ERA this season and has 134 strikeouts in 137 innings of action. He didn't figure in the decision of Tuesday's game versus Oakland, although the fact that he permitted only one earned run on four hits in eight innings suggests that he certainly pitched well enough to win.
Hernandez is just 4-8 lifetime versus the Angels with a 4.18 ERA, a stark contrast to his 3.18 career ERA.
Slated to oppose Hernandez is Dan Haren, who has pitched tremendously well for the Angels. Haren is 9-5 with a 2.65 ERA and has walked a mere 18 batters in 125 2/3 innings of work. He pitched a two-hit shutout against the Tigers last time out and seems to be hitting on all cylinders heading into the break.
Haren defeated Seattle earlier this season and is 8-4 all-time versus the Mariners with a 2.56 ERA.
Torii Hunter homered twice and knocked in five runs yesterday as the Angels took down the Mariners, 9-3, in the third portion of a four-game series.
"I'm happy with the way we're playing. We're swinging the bats well," said Hunter.
Joel Pineiro (5-3) lasted seven innings, allowing three runs on 10 hits and a walk while striking out seven in the Angels 13th win in their last 16 games. They are also now 18-5 in their past 23 matchups with the Mariners.
Michael Pineda (8-6) allowed a season-high seven runs on six hits and two walks while fanning seven to take the loss.
"Michael was a little out of sync. Hunter got him a couple times," said Mariners manager Eric Wedge. "This is something he can learn from."
Seattle's Dustin Ackley has now hit safely in 17 of 19 games since making his major league debut on June 17.
Miguel Olivo had two hits and two RBI for Seattle, losers of four straight.
The Angels are just a game back of first-place Texas in the AL West, while Seattle is 6 1/2 games off the pace.
For more news and information on the Angels, or on today's game, be sure to read the SB Nation blog Halos Heaven.