The Angels have been winning series and taking names for the better part of two months. They look to win their sixth straight home series Thursday night as they host the Twins at Angel Stadium of Anaheim in the finale of a three-game set. Overall, the Angels are 11-1-1 in their last 13 series.
Dan Haren is coming off a complete game win in Detroit on Saturday, his third of the season. Haren is 11-6 with a 2.89 ERA on the season. He beat the Twins in Minnesota on May 29, allowing three runs in six innings.
Francisco Liriano didn't face the Angels when they visited Minneapolis just over two months ago. He has pitched reasonably well since his no-hitter against Chicago on May 3, with a 7-8 record and 3.80 ERA. His peripherals -- six home runs, 33 walks, and 68 strikeouts in 73 1/3 innings -- suggest he has pitched better than that, but Liriano has a weird mix of effective outings and short ones. In his last 13 starts, Liriano has pitched seven or more innings six times, but has also had four outings of 4 1/3 innings or less.
Ron Jackson will throw out the ceremonial first pitch tonight in Anaheim. Jackson spent part of seven seasons with the Angels, playing mostly first and third base, with an occasional outfield appearance mixed in. Jackson hit .252/.306/.368 with the Angels and was on the 1982 American League West division champions. Jackson holds the Angels (and MLB) record for best batting average in the playoffs, as he had one hit in his one at-bat in the 1982 ALCS against Milwaukee.
Tonight's 7:05 p.m. PDT game will be televised by Fox Sports West. For more news and information on the Angels, or on tonight's game, be sure to read Halos Heaven.