Tigers Vs. Angels: Detroit Looks To Boost AL Central Standing As They Host Los Angeles

After winning their series against the Baltimore Orioles, the Tigers are firmly entrenched into second place in the AL Central, but they want more as they are still behind the surging Chicago White Sox. They'll face another second place team, the AL West's Los Angeles Angels, in a four-game set starting on Monday in Detroit. Los Angeles will be looking for a win to help them catch up to the suddenly slumping Texas Rangers.

Perhaps the biggest story of an Angels-Tigers series this season has been the face-off between Prince Fielder and Albert Pujols, the two biggest free agent signings of the offseason. Both players are finally rounding oout into good form now after slow starts to the season, so offensive fireworks should be abound in the series.

The pitchers who will try to hold the stars' hit counts down will be Rick Porcello (6-5, 4.47 ERA) for the Tigers and Ervin Santana (4-9, 5.75 ERA) in the first game of the series. Detroit's hitting staff will enjoy the prospect of Santana being on the mound, as he has given up at least five runs in five of his last seven starts. His last outing might have been his worst, as he give up eight runs in four innings against Cleveland.

The game will be at Comerica Park at 7:05 p.m. ET.

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