MLB Preview 2012: Los Angeles Angels vs. Minnesota Twins

The Los Angeles Angels (2-3) and Minnesota Twins (1-4) will close out a three-game American League series on Thursday afternoon inside Target Field.

Las Vegas oddsmakers have established the Angels as minus-150 road favorites, while the total has fallen by a half run to 7.5.

Minnesota picked up its first victory of the 2012 season in come-from-behind fashion, scoring three runs in the seventh inning to take a 6-5 lead, with the bullpen closing the door in the final two innings.

Twins starting pitcher Francisco Liriano (0-1, 11.25 ERA) will try to forget his first start of the season, dropping an 8-2 road decision to the Baltimore Orioles on April 7.  He allowed six runs (five earned) and eight hits over four frames.

The left-hander has never been one to get out to a fast start during his MLB career, coming in with a dismal 5-12 record and 5.74 ERA in 26 April outings (18 starts).

Liriano will look to even up his career record against the Angels, posting a 1-2 mark and 7.27 ERA in four career appearances (three starts).

Bettors will find that the Twins are 7-21 in their last 28 games as a home underdog.

Los Angeles has managed to score five runs in each of the first two games in this series, as the team comes in batting .257 on the season, which is currently eighth-best in the majors.

The Angels have still managed to win six of their last nine games against the Twins, while going 60-47 overall in this series since the start of the 2000 campaign.

Manager Mike Scioscia will do his best to keep his team's focus on the task at hand in this matinee contest, with Los Angeles scheduled to play the New York Yankees in the Bronx over the weekend.

Angels right-hander Dan Haren (0-1, 8.44 ERA) will look to bounce back from being handed a 6-3 home loss by the Kansas City Royals in his first start of the season on April 7.  It was a surprising result due to this 4-1 record and 1.23 ERA in seven April outings (six starts) in 2011.

He hasn't been very sharp in splitting two starts at Target Field, allowing 10 runs and 21 hits in just 13 combined innings.

Haren will want to be careful when pitching to Twins outfielder Josh Willingham, who has four hits in 11 career at-bats against him, including two home runs.

The Angels are also a money-burning 13-27 in their last 40 road games versus a left-handed starter.

Weather forecasts are suggesting game-time temperatures in the mid-50s, with 10-15 mph winds out of the southeast.