The Angels head north of the border for the first time in 2011 to face the Toronto Blue Jays in a 3-game set. After losing 2 of three in New York, and dropping just their second series out of their last 16, the Halos find themselves 2 games behind the AL West division leading Texas Rangers - the largest gap between the two teams since July 26th.
Getting the first start of the series for the Angels is red-hot Ervin Santana (8-8, 3.21 ERA). The right-hander has been on a roll over his last 8 starts compiling a 1.57 ERA in 63 innings. The Angels nabbed seven wins in that span while Santana has improved his record from 3-8 to 8-8. One key improvement Santana has made to his game is keeping the ball in the park. Santana has allowed 18 home runs this season, tied for 8th in the league, but has given up just 1 in his last seven games.
Making the stat for the Jays is Brandon Morrow (8-6, 4.51 ERA). Morrow has been just as hot as Santana as long as he's not facing the Orioles. In the right-handers last 10 starts, Morrow has gone 6-2, with the two losses being to Baltimore.
This will be Vernon Wells' first trip back to Toronto since his trade to Anaheim in January. In facing the Blue Jays in Anaheim earlier this season, Wells went 1 for 13, but the Halos won two of three during the April home stand.
The Angels are 8-4 in their last 12 games with the Jays, and swept a 3-game series at the Rogers Centre last season.
FUN FACTS:
- The Angels are 50-10 when scoring 4 or more runs, but are just 14-44 when limited to 3 runs or less.
- With their next stolen base, the Halos will top the 100 stolen base mark for the 11th consecutive season - the longest streak in the majors.
- The club is currently sits at 64-54, trailing the Rangers by 2 games. After 118 games last season they were 60-58, 7.5 games behind Texas. In 2002, the Halos were 70-48 and 2 games behind Oakland.
- The Angels are 44-29 in games started by Weaver, Haren, and Santana.
Who's Hot - Last 14 Days:
Torii Hunter - 19 for his last 46 (.413), 2 2B, 1 HR
Mark Trumbo - 12 for his last 43 (.279), 2 2B, 3 HR, 10 RBI
Peter Bourjos - 10 for his last 35 (.286), 3 2B, 2 HR, 3 SB
Edwin Encarnacion - 15 for his last 37 (.405),4 2B, 2 HR
Who's Cold - Last 14 Days:
Jeff Mathis - 2 for his last 19 (.105)
Bobby Abreu - 6 for his last 39 (.154)
Erick Aybar - 6 for his last 51 (.118)
Vernon Wells - 7 for his last 44 (.159)
Eric Thames - 3 for his last 36 (.083)
Adam Lind - 8 for his last 47 (.170)
Jose Bautista - 7 for his last 42 (.167)
Game time is 4:05pm (PDT) and will be show on Fox Sports West. For more Angels' news, be sure to check out Halos Heaven.