Angels @ Indians

Who will WIN this matchup?

Los Angeles Angels (56-55)

@ Cleveland Indians (64-45)

Starting Pitchers:

Pena (LAA): 8-3; 4.66 ERA (likely following opener)

Plutko (CLE) 3-2; 4.83 ERA

Last 10 Games Played:

Los Angeles Angels: 4-6

Cleveland Indians: 6-4

Current odds:

Los Angeles Angels: (+140)

Cleveland Indians: (-155)

• Yasiel Puig has made an impression in the first two outings with his new team and looks to continue making an impact when the Cleveland Indians host the fading Los Angeles Angels in the second of a three-game series Saturday night. Puig recorded a double and a stolen base in his debut and went 2-for-4 with a pair of RBIs on Friday as the Indians took the series opener 7-3 to increase their lead to two games for the top American League wild card. Carlos Santana knocked in two runs to push his team-leading total to 62 and Roberto Perez launched his career-high 19th homer Friday for Cleveland, which trails Minnesota by three games in the AL Central after going 35-15 since June 4. Adam Plutko goes after his first victory since June 14 when he takes the mound for the Indians on Saturday, while the Angels have not announced an opener, but Felix Pena (8-3, 4.66 ERA) is slated to come on in the second or third inning.

• Los Angeles looked as though it may make a run after sweeping a pair from its cross-city rival Dodgers on July 23-24 to extend a winning streak to four but has dropped six of eight since and are seven games back in the AL wild-card chase. Mike Trout went 2-for-4 with a solo homer Friday after going deep 13 times in July, but the Angels will need to get more from outfielder Justin Upton (1-for-24 over the last seven games).

• Pena has permitted 13 runs (10 earned) over 13 1/3 innings in three outings since being involved in a combined no-hitter on July 12. The 29-year-old Dominican Republic native gave up four runs (one earned) on three hits and three walks over five innings last Sunday in a no-decision against Baltimore in his sixth start of the season. Francisco Lindor is 1-for-2 with a double and a walk versus Pena, who is 5-2 with a 4.42 ERA in eight road games (one start) in 2019.

• Plutko has not pitched since July 25 when he limited Kansas City to three runs on seven hits over 5 1/3 innings of a no-decision to extend his winless stretch to six games. The 27-year-old UCLA product has walked just eight batters in 54 innings this year but struggled with the home run ball with 15 allowed – five in his past three contests. Upton and Brian Goodwin have homered against Plutko, who faces the Angels for the first time in his career.

• Los Angeles C Max Stassi, who was acquired at the trade deadline Wednesday, went 0-for-2 with two strikeouts in his team debut Friday.

• Lindor is 4-for-7 in the first two games of August after batting .330 in July with six homers and 16 RBIs.

• The Angels designated C Jonathan Lucroy (.242, seven homers, 30 RBIs) for assignment Friday to make room for Stassi.