SoCal MLB Preview

LA Dodgers (17-13) at Colorado (11-19), 12:05 pm

DENVER (Ticker) -- A sputtering offense led the Los Angeles Dodgers to their worst 22-game start in five seasons. Thanks in large part to the Colorado Rockies, they have not had trouble scoring since. The Dodgers target their ninth straight win - and third straight series sweep - on Sunday when they face the Rockies in the finale of a three-game series with the Rockies. During its long winning streak, Los Angeles has taken five consecutive games from Colorado, starting with the Dodgers' three-game sweep at Dodger Stadium from April 25-27. The Dodgers then took three straight from the Florida Marlins before winning the first two games of this set. On Saturday, James Loney homered and drove in six runs as Los Angeles rolled to a 12-7 victory. Los Angeles can thank a resurgent offense for its recent turn of fortunes. The Dodgers are averaging 8.8 runs during their winning streak, more than twice the 4.3 runs they scored in their 9-13 start, matching the team's record for poorest start set in 2003. Another strong offensive showing on Sunday may lead to a longer outing by Los Angeles' Derek Lowe (2-1, 2.88 ERA), who has not gone more than five innings over his last three starts after lasting at least six frames in each of his first three turns. The sinkerballer did not factor in the decision during Tuesday's 7-6 win over Florida as he allowed six runs - three earned - and eight hits in five innings. Aaron Cook (4-1, 2.41) will put his own winning streak on the line as he opposes Lowe in the finale. The righthander won his fourth straight start on Tuesday, yielding two unearned runs and 10 hits over seven innings in a 3-2 victory over the San Francisco Giants.

Baltimore (16-14) at LA Angels (19-13), 12:35 pm

ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) -- The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim will attempt to reach 20 wins this season when they host the Baltimore Orioles in the rubber match of a three-game set Sunday. The Angels rank among the leaders in the American League with 154 runs scored this season and sit second in the circuit with a .275 team batting average. Reggie Willits was recalled from Class AAA Salt Lake on Friday and has provided immediate returns from the second spot in the order, getting two hits and an RBI in Saturday's 3-1 win. Gary Matthews Jr., who was moved out of the second spot in the lineup, responded well in the No. 3 spot, driving in a pair. But Saturday's game belong to the starting pitchers, as Jon Garland and Daniel Cabrera each recovered from rough outings earlier in the week to post strong efforts. Garland picked up the victory while allowing one run in eight frames. Lefthander Joe Saunders (5-0, 2.08 ERA) will try to keep his spotless record intact on Sunday. The 26-year-old earned his fourth straight win against the Oakland Athletics on Tuesday when he allowed just four hits in eight scoreless innings. Saunders has surrendered two earned runs or less in four of his six starts this season and is 2-0 with a 4.91 ERA in two career starts against the Orioles. Baltimore will counter with righthander Steve Trachsel (1-3, 6.08 ERA). The veteran hurler allowed five runs - four earned - and five hits in just three innings but did not factor in the decision against the Chicago White Sox on April 26. Trachsel's lone victory this season came in his first start on April 4 against another AL West opponent, the Seattle Mariners.