Angels @ Mariners

Who will WIN this matchup?

Los Angeles Angels (50-47)

@ Seattle Mariners (39-60)

Starting Pitchers:

Barria (LAA): 3-2; 5.22 ERA

Leake (SEA) 7-8; 4.80 ERA

Last 10 Games Played:

Los Angeles Angels: 6-4

Seattle Mariners: 1-9

Current odds:

Los Angeles Angels: (-118)

Seattle Mariners: (+108)

• The Los Angeles Angels have lost consecutive contests following a five-game winning streak as they begin a three-game series against the host Seattle Mariners on Friday. The Angels are 5 1/2 games back in the race for the second wild-card spot in the American League but are just two above .500 due to their inconsistent nature. Superstar Mike Trout (calf) returned to the lineup as the designated hitter in Thursday’s 6-2 loss to Houston after a three-game absence.

• That isn’t good news for Seattle as Trout is 20-for-52 with six homers, 18 RBIs and 15 walks in the season series and has launched 39 blasts in 152 career games. Seattle has been outscored 47-9 while losing all five of its games since the All-Star break and has dropped six straight overall and 13 of its last 15. The Mariners won their first five contests against the Angels this season, but the series is now tied at 8-8 entering the final three meetings.

• Barria will be recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake to be the primary pitcher, but the Angels may opt to use an “opener” before his entrance. The Panamanian, who turned 22 on Thursday, last pitched for the Angels on July 3 as he registered a season-best eight strikeouts while giving up two runs and four hits over five innings while defeating Texas. Barria beat the Mariners on April 21, when he allowed one run and four hits over five frames to improve to 2-3 with a 3.73 ERA in six career appearances (five starts) versus the club.

• Leake didn’t make it out of the first inning against the Angels on July 12 as he was hammered for seven runs – four earned – and eight hits while recording two outs during a 13-0 loss. The 31-year-old pitched well in his previous turn, when he blanked St. Louis on five hits over 7 2/3 innings. Leake is 1-2 with a 6.59 ERA in three starts against the Angels this season and 5-5 with a 4.33 ERA over 10 career outings.

• Angels 1B Albert Pujols has collected 11 RBIs over his last five contests but is day-to-day after leaving Thursday’s game due to hamstring tightness.

• Seattle 3B Kyle Seager is a meager 4-for-46 over his last 13 games.

• Los Angeles recalled Jake Jewell, who pitched three scoreless innings on Thursday, from Salt Lake and optioned fellow RHP Luke Bard to the Bees.