SoCal MLB Preview

LA Angels (26-20) at Toronto (23-23), 4:07 pm
TORONTO (Ticker) - Mike Napoli is making a strong case to become the full-time catcher for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Napoli looks to stay hot when the Angels open a three-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday. The 26-year-old Napoli, who has been splitting time behind the plate with Jeff Mathis, blasted two home runs on Sunday to lead Los Angeles to a 10-2 victory over the cross-town rival Dodgers. With the pair of homers, Napoli leads the team with 10 home runs this season despite appearing in just 27 games and taking 89 at-bats. Napoli has helped supply the power while perennial sluggers Vladimir Guerrero, Garret Anderson and Torii Hunter have combined for just 14 home runs this campaign. After a strong outing in his first start back from the disabled list, John Lackey (0-0, 1.29 ERA) tries to build on that momentum when he toes the rubber for the Angels on Tuesday. Lackey, who missed the start of the season with a strained right triceps, allowed just one run and six hits in seven innings, walking only one while striking out four, but did not factor in the decision during Wednesday's 6-1 loss to the Chicago White Sox. Dustin McGowan (2-3, 4.38) counters for the Blue Jays, who have won six of their last seven games and are opening a seven-game homestand.

Cincinnati (21-24) at LA Dodgers (23-21), 7:10 pm
LOS ANGELES (Ticker) - Adam Dunn tries to set a franchise record with a home run in six straight games when the Cincinnati Reds continue a three-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday. Dunn tied Ted Kluszewski, Johnny Bench and teammate Ken Griffey Jr. for the current club record with a two-run homer during Monday's heartbreaking 6-5 loss to the Dodgers, which snapped a season-high six game win streak. The 28-year-old left fielder, who has 11 blasts this season, could have a difficult time setting a new franchise record against Tuesday's starter Chad Billingsley (3-5, 4.34 ERA), who has allowed just two home runs in 45 2/3 innings this season. The righthander allowed just one run and three hits in seven innings to earn his third win in four starts during Thursday's 7-2 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers. Matt Belisle (1-3, 7.45) counters for the Reds and is looking for an better effort after giving up at least four runs in three of his four starts this campaign.