The Los Angeles Angels look for their third straight win on Saturday night, hosting the New York Yankees in what looks like a terrific pitching matchup in Anaheim. Dan Haren starts for the Angels, facing CC Sabathia for New York. The Angels open play two and a half games behind the Texas Rangers in the American League West.
Haren on the season is 14-8 with a 3.20 ERA with 23 quality starts, tied for third in the American League. The Angels have won Haren's last seven starts in Anaheim, and during that span Haren is 6-0 with a 2.86 ERA, with four walks and 43 strikeouts in 50 innings. In his career, Haren is 4-1 with a 3.97 ERA in nine starts against the Yankees, including allowing four runs in a no-decision in New York on August 9.
Sabathia signed a seven-year, $161 million contract with the Yankees before the 2009 season, and he has been well worth every penny so far. He is 19-7 with a 2.97 ERA this season, with 51 walks and 211 strikeouts in 218 innings. Sabathia is looking to become the first Yankee to win 20 games in back-to-back seasons since Tommy John in 1979-1980. Sabathia is already the first Yankee with 19 wins in three consecutive seasons since Vic Raschi did so in four straight seasons from 1948-1951.
The Angels have won 11 of their last 13 home games, and are 28-10 at Angel Stadium since June 27.
Saturday night's 6:05 p.m. PDT game will be televised by KCOP. For more Angels news and notes, be sure to read Halos Heaven.