MINNEAPOLIS -- The Angels will begin a critical seven-game stretch on Thursday night at 5 PT with the first of four games against the Minnesota Twins.
The Twins are two games ahead of the Angels in the race for the second wild card spot. The Angels are 3 1/2 games behind the Houston Astros, who they will play three times, starting on Monday.
The Angels will face left-hander Tommy Milone on Thursday, which means they are using Shane Victorino instead of David Murphy in left field. Murphy had been moved to the Angels leadoff spot, but Manager Mike Scioscia put switch-hitting Erick Aybar at the top of the lineup for this game.