(Sports Network) - The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim hope Joe Saunders can duplicate his lid lifter to the season this evening when they play the first of three games against the Cleveland Indians at Angel Stadium.

Saunders was brilliant against the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday, as he allowed just four hits over eight scoreless innings. He also fanned four batters, while walking one in the win.

The 26-year-old left-hander, who won his first six decisions last season and his first four starts in 2006, has won both of his starts against the Indians, surrendering just two earned runs over 13 2/3 innings in the process.

Los Angeles enters this series on a sour note, however, after losing the rubber match of their three-game series with the Texas Rangers, 10-4, on Sunday. Garrett Anderson and Torii Hunter each hit solo home runs in the loss for the Halos.

Jon Garland (1-1) was tagged with the loss after being touched for seven runs on eight hits in five innings.

Cleveland, meanwhile, also has a hurler on the hill that was phenomenal in his season debut in 24-year-old right-hander Fausto Carmona. After winning 19 games last season, Carmona picked up right where he left off on Wednesday against Chicago, as he allowed one run and four hits in seven innings of work to get the win.

Carmona, who will be making his first-ever start against the Angels, hopes to continue his road success from a year ago. Last year Carmona didn't allow more than three runs in any of his road starts and went 9-4 with a 2.80 ERA in 16 outings away from home.

Cleveland salvaged the finale of its three-game set with the Oakland Athletics on Sunday, as Cliff Lee scattered four hits and one run over 6 2/3 innings in a 2-1 win at McAfee Coliseum. Asdrubal Cabrera and Ryan Garko knocked in runs for the Indians, who halted a three-game losing streak.

Lee (1-0) struck out four and walked only one, holding the Athletics at bay during a 108-pitch performance. Joe Borowski hurled a scoreless ninth to earn his second save.

Cleveland could have All-Star catcher Victor Martinez back in the lineup this evening. Martinez hasn't started since injuring his hamstring while running the bases on Opening Day.

The Angels split their 10 matchups with the Indians last season, but are 15-12 in the series since the start of the 2005 season. Cleveland, though, has won its last two in Anaheim.