The Los Angeles Angels and Florida Marlins open up a three-game interleague series Monday night at Sun Life Stadium

Los Angeles Angels at Florida Marlins

Los Angeles picked up a 7-3 victory over the New York Mets Sunday and improved its record to 123-81 in interleague play during the Mike Scioscia era, which is best in the Majors over that span.  “We’ve been playing better baseball of late,” said Angels outfielder Vernon Wells.  “The biggest thing for us is staying consistent offensively.”  The Angels are still just 6-10 this month, which is a far cry from the club’s 18-9 mark in June last year.  The team’s 28-10 road interleague record since 2007 is tops in baseball, which has helped it register a 71-55 all-time mark against National League opponents away from Angel Stadium.  Los Angeles is 13-21 following a win this year.

Angels starting pitcher Jered Weaver is 8-4 with a 2.06 ERA in 15 starts this season and is coming off his third complete game of the year.  The right-hander has tossed six consecutive quality starts, posting a 1.77 ERA in that span.  Los Angeles has alternated wins and losses in his last six outings, tallying a 4-0 road victory against the Mariners in his last start, as he allowed just five hits.  Weaver has been dominating on the road despite a 5-3 record, giving up just 42 hits in 65 innings and allowing opponents to hit for a .180 average.  He will be facing the Marlins for the first time tonight.

Florida had its manager Edwin Rodriguez resign before Sunday’s 2-1 loss to Tampa Bay and the club has dropped 10 straight games.  “It was a tough day,” said Marlins bench coach Brandon Hyde.  “Edwin talked to the staff this morning.  It’s disappointing.”   The Marlins were hoping interleague play would change the club’s fortune, coming into yesterday’s contest with a 129-110 all-time mark versus American League foes.  It simply wasn’t the case, as the team has dropped 21 of its last 24 games.  Florida is 15-22 at home this year.

Marlins starting pitcher Anibal Sanchez is 6-1 with a 3.02 ERA in 14 starts this season and has seen the club alternated wins and losses over his last four outings.  He picked up a no-decision in the club’s 5-4 road loss to the Phillies last time out, giving up two runs and four hits in seven strong innings.  The right-hander is looking to remain perfect at home, bringing in a 3-0 record and 3.18 ERA, issuing just nine walks and registering 50 strikeouts in 45 1/3 frames at Sun Life Stadium.  He will be making his first career start versus the Angels.

Bettors will likely back the Angels due to their 4-1 mark as a road favorite, while the Marlins are 5-18 in their last 23 home games