SoCal MLB Preview

LA Angels (43-30) at Philadelphia (42-32), 4:05 pm

PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- Francisco Rodriguez has been arguably the best closer in the majors this season. But even the best run into trouble sometimes. Rodriguez looks to bounce back from a rare blown save on Friday when the Los Angeles Angels of Anahiem open a three-game series against the Philadelphia Phillies. The 26-year-old righthander surrendered a game-tying RBI single to David Wright in the ninth inning on Wednesday as the New York Mets went onto claim a 5-4 victory on the strength of Damion Easley's solo home run in the 10th. It was just the second blown save of the season for Rodriguez, who leads the majors with 28 saves. He had converted 25 straight saves before Wenesday's meltdown as the Angels dropped to 2-2 in extra-inning games this year. Ervin Santana (8-3, 3.40 ERA) tries to get the rebound for a dismal performance of his own when he takes the mound for the Angels on Friday. Santana, 25, allowed six runs and nine hits in just 5 2/3 innings, walking two while striking out six en route to a 9-4 loss against the Atlanta Braves on Saturday. Adam Eaton (2-4, 4.57) counters for the Phillies. The 30-year-old righthander is 0-1 in his last two starts after allowing six runs and 17 hits in 12 2/3 innings over that span.

Cleveland (33-40) at LA Dodgers (34-38), 7:40 pm

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- The Cleveland Indians send Cliff Lee to the mound Friday in hopes of ending their three-game losing streak when they face the Los Angeles Dodgers in the opener of a three-game interleague series. Lee (10-1, 2.55 ERA) has been one of the biggest surprises of the 2008 campaign, recording nearly one-third of the club's wins this season. The 29-year-old lefthander did not receive a decision during Saturday's 8-3 setback to the San Diego Padres. He allowed two runs and eight hits with six strikeouts over 6 1/3 innings. Lee, who won just 19 games over the past two seasons, will need to be at his best in this one. The Dodgers enter the series coming off a three-game sweep of the Cincinnati Reds, while the Indians were outscored by a 20-7 margin in their three consecutive losses to the Colorado Rockies. Seeking its fourth straight win, Los Angeles will turn to 20-year-old rookie Clayton Kershaw (0-1, 3.75). Kershaw, who will make his sixth career start, is still seeking his first major league win after not receiving a decision in Sunday's 5-4 setback to the Detroit Tigers. The lefthander tossed four scoreless frames, yielding two hits and two walks with a pair of strikeouts.