Professional sports handicapper Jeff Grant previews the series opener of a three-game set between the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium

New York continues a nine-game road trip against American League West opponents with a three-game series in Los Angeles. The Yankees won all three games versus the Athletics earlier this week, extending the club's win streak in the series to 10 games. "Anytime you win 10 in a row against a club, it just really doesn't happen very often," Yankees manager Joe Girardi stated. "They have talent over there. They have a good pitching staff. We've just kind of had our way and we were fortunate." The team now travels to Angel Stadium, a less abiding venue, as New York has dropped 20 of its last 28 games there. Third baseman Alex Rodriguez is one of the players likely looking forward to the series, as his 67 homers against the Angels are 11 more than he has versus any other club. It may also help his recent power struggles in not homering in 43 at-bats.

Yankees starting pitcher Ivan Nova is 4-3 with a 4.67 ERA in 11 appearances (10 starts) this season and is coming off a no-decision effort on the road versus the Mariners. He allowed four runs and five hits over just 3 2/3 innings in that particular effort, while issuing three walks and registering just a single strikeout. The right-hander has tallied a 2-1 mark and 4.22 ERA in five road games (four starts), surrendering just a single home run in 21 1/3 frames. He has never faced the Angels in his career.

Los Angeles ended its 20-day stretch of no days off with a 2-0 defeat to the Royals at Kauffman Stadium Wednesday. The loss was surrounded by a controversial two-run homer in the ninth inning that was originally ruled a double, but the umpires quickly concluded it was a home run by going to video tape. "It wasn't our day," Angels outfielder Torii Hunter stated. The Angels finished their six-game road trip with an even 3-3 record and are now 10-7-2 through 19 series played. The club is now set to host the Yankees, a club that it has posted a 54-45 record over since 2000, which represents New York's only losing record versus any American League team over that span.

Angels starting pitcher Jered Weaver is 6-4 with a 2.10 ERA in 12 starts this season and enters on a four-game losing streak. Los Angeles has actually dropped five of his last six outings overall. The right-hander was handed a tough luck no-decision in Minnesota on May 28, tossing nine shutout innings and scattering two hits in a 1-0 defeat. Weaver has made just four starts at home, tallying a 2-1 record and 1.82 ERA, while not allowing a home run. In seven career outings versus the Yankees, he has registered a 4-2 mark and 5.88 ERA. Friday will be his first start against the Bronx Bombers since the 2009 season when he posted a 1-1 record and 5.59 ERA in facing them three times.

Bettors will likely back the Yankees due to their 11-5 mark in Nova's last 16 starts, while the Angels are 2-5 in Weaver's last seven outings versus American League East competition.
 

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