SoCal MLB Preview

LA Angels (46-30) at Washington (30-47), 4:10 pm

WASHINGTON (Ticker) -- John Lackey and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim will both be looking for their fourth consecutive victory Monday when they visit the Washington Nationals in the opener of a three-game series.

After missing the first six weeks of the season with a strained tricep, Lackey (4-1, 1.73 ERA) has been excellent. The righthander has lasted at least seven innings in each of his seven outings this season, allowing more than one earned run just twice. The 29-year-old Lackey collected his third win in as many starts Tuesday, allowing just one run and six hits with a walk and seven strikeouts over 7 2/3 frames in a 6-1 triumph over the New York Mets. Casey Kotchman hit a two-run homer to highlight a three-run second inning as the Angels completed a three-game interleague sweep of the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday, 3-2.

The Nationals have lost five of their previous six contests. Ronnie Belliard and Willie Harris each homered Sunday but Washington suffered a 5-3 setback to the Texas Rangers. Nationals starter Jason Bergmann (1-5, 5.03) will hope to avoid his fifth loss in as many starts. He allowed three runs - one earned - and five hits with three walks and two strikeouts over six innings during Wednesday's 11-2 loss to the Minnesota Twins. Washington is 1-9 this season when the 26-year-old righthander gets the start.