The New York Yankees and Los Angeles Angels close out a three-game series Sunday afternoon at Angel Stadium

New York Yankees at Los Angeles Angels

New York plays the final game of a three-game series Sunday in Los Angeles and it will also wrap up its first of two West Coast trips this season.  The Yankees prevailed 3-2 last night by way of starting pitcher C.C. Sabathia’s effort on the mound, coming within one out of his second complete game of the season.  “It was huge for me tonight,” Sabathia said of his changeup.  “The only reason I pitched eight innings tonight was because I was able to get some swings early.”  The club has won 12 of its last 17 games and has tallied a 13-6 mark in series finales this season.  Third baseman Alex Rodriguez continued his career assault on Angels’ pitching, launching his 68th career home run against them, his most against any opponent in his career.  New York is 14-3 in day games this season.

Yankees starting pitcher Bartolo Colon is 3-3 with a 3.26 ERA and will be making his ninth start of the season (12th appearance).  The right-hander captured a complete game shutout victory in Oakland last time out, allowing just four hits while striking out six and not issuing a single walk.  Colon has been solid on the road the entire year, coming in with a 2-1 mark and 2.52 ERA, as opponents are hitting just .210 against him.  In 15 career starts versus the Angels, the veteran is 7-5 with a 3.92 ERA, including a 5-1 mark and 2.38 ERA at Angel Stadium.  He actually made 95 starts (96 appearances) as a member of the Los Angeles Angels from 2004-07, going 46-33 with a 4.66 ERA.

Los Angeles has still posted a 12-5 record in its last 17 home games against New York and will look to win its 11th series of the season this afternoon.  The club enters ranked third in the American League with a 3.30 team ERA and has limited the Yankees to just five runs scored in the first two games of this series.  Former Bronx Bomber Bobby Abreau continues to do what he does best, getting three hits last night, but the squad has scored just eight runs in losing three of four.  Los Angeles is 13-9 in day games this season and 77-44 over the last three campaigns.

Angels starting pitcher Joel Pineiro is 2-2 with a 3.52 ERA in seven starts this season and the club has dropped his last four outings.  He has allowed 17 runs (15 earned) and 38 hits over that span, while managing to strike out just nine batters in 25 2/3 innings.  Pineiro will be making his fourth daytime start, entering with an even 1-1 mark and 2.37 ERA, allowing just a single home run in 19 innings.  In 19 career appearances (11 starts) versus the Yankees, he has a 3-5 record and 4.04 ERA, surrendering 10 home runs in 84 2/3 innings.

Bettors will be interested in backing the Angels due to their 6-1 record following a loss, while the Yankees are just 20-18 versus right-handed starters.