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Angels, White Sox try to move closer to division title

Sep 5, 2008 - 10:24 AM LA Angels (85-54) at Chi White Sox (78-61) 8:11 p.m. EDT

CHICAGO (Ticker) -- The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are on cruise control in the American League West. The Chicago White Sox are also leading their division, but can't even think about taking their foot off the accelerator.

The Angels and White Sox both try to move one step closer to a division title when they meet on Friday.

Anaheim has won five of its last seven games, forging an eye-popping 17-game lead atop the AL West - the largest division lead in the majors.

Chicago, conversely, dropped five of its last seven contests during a nine-game road trip as its lead atop the AL Central dances at 1 1/2 games over the Minnesota Twins (77-63).

The White Sox' recent struggles can be pinned on the offense, which leads the majors with 201 home runs but has scored 16 runs over the last seven games. The lineup has been without sluggers Ken Griffey Jr. (back pain), Carlos Quentin (sore right forearm) and Joe Crede, who could be out for the rest of the campaign with a back injury.

Griffey and Quentin are expected back - good news for starter Mark Buehrle (11-11, 4.12 ERA), who has struggled in his last three starts, posting a 1-1 record and 7.41 ERA.

Jered Weaver was scheduled to take the mound for the Angels in the opener, but had his start pushed back to Monday after suffering cuts on his fingers while lifting himself off the dugout bench in Detroit earlier this week. Dustin Moseley (1-3, 7.15) will make his first start since July 13 in place of Weaver.