Angels @ Twins

Who will WIN this matchup?

Los Angeles Angels (35-28)

@ Minnesota Twins (27-32)

Starting Pitchers:

Richards (LAA): 4-4; 3.25 ERA

Lynn (MIN) 4-4; 5.46 ERA

Last 10 Games Played:

Los Angeles Angels: 6-4

Minnesota Twins: 5-5

Current odds:

Los Angeles Angels: (-119)

Minnesota Twins: (+109)

• The Minnesota Twins and Los Angeles Angels picked themselves off the mat to conclude May by embarking on stellar starts in the month of June. After losing seven of eight to end last month, the Twins (27-32) have emerged victorious in five of their last seven entering Friday’s opener of a three-game series versus the Los Angeles Angels (35-28). Eduardo Escobar recorded his sixth multi-hit performance in nine contests with a two-run homer and a single in Minnesota’s 7-2 rout of the Chicago White Sox on Thursday afternoon. The 29-year-old Venezuelan is batting a robust 15-for-34 with five homers and 15 RBIs his last nine games, but is 0-for-7 with two strikeouts in his career against Friday starter Garrett Richards.

• The Angels, who are opening a nine-game road trip, rebounded from a 1-4 stretch to end May by winning five of six — including four straight — to keep within earshot of American League West heavyweights Seattle and Houston. Justin Upton homered for the third time in four outings during Wednesday’s 4-3 victory over Kansas City, although he is just 1-for-11 in his career versus Friday starter Lance Lynn.

• Richards saw his winless stretch extend to five starts despite allowing just one run on one hit and striking out nine in a season-high seven innings of a no-decision versus Texas on Saturday. The 30-year-old owns a 1-3 mark with a 1.89 ERA in his last six outings, which includes a no-decision against Minnesota on May 10 after permitting three runs on five hits. Brian Dozier belted a three-run homer off Richards in that contest and enters Friday’s tilt with a six-game hitting streak, but the right-hander owns a 2-1 mark in six career starts versus Minnesota while limiting the club to a .215 batting average.

• Lynn has allowed just three runs on 13 hits during his three-start winning streak, with one and two, respectively, being allowed over six innings in Saturday’s 7-1 triumph over Cleveland. The 31-year-old has a 4-1 mark and a 3.34 ERA in his last six starts, with the lone no-decision coming against the Angels in a four-run, eight-hit performance in 4 2/3 innings on May 11. Luis Valbuena (1-for-13) and Mike Trout (1-for-6) have struggled versus Lynn, who has surrendered nine runs on 17 hits in two career starts (10 2/3 innings) against Los Angeles.

• Los Angeles 2B Ian Kinsler, who belted a two-run shot on Wednesday, is 5-for-14 with a homer against Minnesota this season.

• Twins LF Eddie Rosario has nine multi-hit performances in his last 15 games.

• Angels 1B Albert Pujols is scheduled to return to the lineup following a two-game absence due to a sore knee, manager Mike Scioscia said.

• It has been announced within the last hour that Shohei Ohtani has been placed on the DL by the Angels with a grade 2 UCL Sprain.