Los Angeles Angels batter Albert Pujols waits to hit in the third inning against the Baltimore Orioles during their American League baseball game in Baltimore, Maryland, June 26, 2012.PATRICK SMITH/Reuters
The Toronto Blue Jays will begin a four-game series against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on Thursday, at Rogers Centre in Toronto.
PROBABLE PITCHERS
Thursday: Toronto LHP Brett Cecil (1-0, 2.45 ERA) vs. Los Angeles RHP Dan Harren (5-7, 4.24)
Friday: Toronto RHP Carlos Villanueva (2-0, 3.24) vs. Los Angeles RHP Ervin Santana (4-8, 4.92)
Saturday: Toronto RHP Henderson Alvarez (4-6, 4.36) vs. Los Angeles RHP Garrett Richards (2-0, 1.63)
Sunday: Toronto LHP Aaron Laffey (0-0, 1.80) vs. Los Angeles LHP C.J. Wilson (9-4, 2.36).
NEED TO KNOW
On April 29, roughly one month into the start of the regular season, the underachieving Angels were mired in last place in the American League West, their record eight games under the .500 mark. Albert Pujols, their $254-million (U.S.) off-season acquisition, had yet to stroke a home run. Since then, the Angels' turnaround has been remarkable. With a 7-3 win over the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday, the Angels have won 12 of their past 16 outings. Since April 28, the Angels are major-league best 35-19, and have vaulted back into the playoff picture. Even Pujols is contributing, having hit 12 home runs.