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Indians-Angels Preview

Sep 8, 2010 - 6:53 AM By MATT BECKER STATS Senior Writer

Cleveland (57-82) at Los Angeles (66-73), 7:05 p.m. EDT

Barring an incredible finish, the Los Angles Angels' string of consecutive AL West titles will end at three.

A big reason they'll likely miss the postseason has been their sudden struggles in Anaheim.

The Angels try to prevent their longest home losing streak in eight years and avoid being swept by the Cleveland Indians in Wednesday's series finale.

Los Angeles (66-73) has won each of the last three West crowns, thanks in part to a 153-90 home record from 2007-09 - third-best in baseball.

It's been a different story for the Angels this year, as they've dropped eight of nine at home to fall to 34-34 in Anaheim. Los Angeles hasn't finished a season with a .500 or worse home record since it went 39-42 in 2001, en route to a 75-87 overall finish - the worst in Mike Scioscia's 10 years as manager.

A lack of offense has been the biggest reason for the Angels' recent home woes.

Los Angeles, which lost 6-1 to the Indians on Tuesday, has totaled four runs during its five-game skid at Angel Stadium. Bobby Abreu is 2 for 19 with eight strikeouts during the skid, while Hideki Matsui is 3 for 15 with no extra-base hits.

"If you're not playing good baseball, it's not going to matter if you're playing on the moon or any other planet," Scioscia said.

Another sluggish offensive performance could make the Angels get swept by Cleveland in a three-game home series for the first time since Aug. 9-11, 1999. They are also trying to avoid dropping six straight at home for the first time since a seven-game skid April 3-13, 2002.

Although Los Angeles went on to win the World Series in 2002, the club doesn't seem to have enough time to make a playoff push this year, trailing West-leading Texas by 9 1/2 games with 23 left to play.

The Angels also don't appear to have the right person taking the mound in the series finale to give them the best chance of ending their home slide.

Scott Kazmir (8-13, 6.19 ERA) has lost his last seven home starts since defeating the Yankees on April 25, recording a 6.81 ERA in those outings. He's also been frustrated regularly by the Indians (57-82), going 0-1 with an 11.20 ERA in his last three starts against them.

Kazmir was wild in Friday's 8-0 loss to Oakland, walking a season-high six and hitting two batters over 5 2-3 innings. He yielded only two runs, but lost his third straight start and fourth consecutive decision.

Walks have been an ongoing problem for Kazmir, who is 1-8 with a 7.74 ERA in his last 10 outings. He's issued 27 base on balls in 44 innings over his last eight starts.

Trying to sweep their first series since taking four in a row from Detroit from July 16-18, the Indians will counter with Josh Tomlin (3-3, 4.14), who tries to win his third consecutive start.

Tomlin allowed three runs - all in the third inning - and seven hits while striking out five and walking none in six innings of a 6-3 win over Seattle on Thursday. Despite getting knocked around in the third, Indians manager Manny Acta decided to stick with the rookie right-hander, who rewarded that faith by retiring 10 of his last 11 batters he faced.

"Every start is a learning experience right now," said Tomlin, who has never faced the Angels.