(Sports Network) - The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim try and move on step closer to the their fourth AL West crown in five years this evening when they open a three-game series with the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park.

Los Angeles enters tonight's opener with a 17 1/2-game lead on the Texas Rangers in the West with a magic number to clinch the division at eight.

The Angels, though, were denied a sweep in their four-game series with the Rangers on Sunday, as they dropped a 4-3 decision at Angel Stadium. Juan Rivera had a two-run homer for the Angels, who, despite the loss, have still won six of their last nine. Mark Teixeira went 2-for-4 and drove in a run, while Brandon Wood ended 3-for-4 in defeat.

John Lackey (11-3), who had won his last five decisions coming in, took the loss after yielding four runs on nine hits in just five frames.

Hoping to get Anaheim back on track tonight will be lefty Joe Saunders, who has dropped his last two starts and is winless in his last five outings. Saunders was hammered by Oakland on Wednesday, as he allowed six runs and eight hits in just 1 1/3 frames, dropping him to 14-7, while raising his earned run average to 3.67.

Saunders lost to the Tigers the last time he faced them and is 0-1 in three starts against them with a 4.58 ERA.

Detroit will counter with righty Chris Lambert, who will be making the second start of his big league career. Lambert lost his debut on Tuesday to Cleveland, surrendering six runs (two earned) and five hits in 2 2/3 frames.

The Tigers were on the wrong end of a 13-9 decision on Monday to the New York Yankees in a makeup game from a May rainout at Comerica Park.

Gary Sheffield, Brandon Inge and Miguel Cabrera homered for Detroit, which has lost six of its last eight. Sheffield's homer was the 494th of his career, surpassing Lou Gehrig and Fred McGriff for sole possession of 25th place on the all-time list. Curtis Granderson scored three times in defeat.

Justin Verlander (10-15) got the start for Detroit and didn't make it out of the second inning. He was roughed up for eight runs -- five earned -- on seven hits and two walks in just 1 2/3 frames.

Los Angeles has won four of its six matchups with the Tigers and with another win would lock up the season series with Detroit for the eighth straight year.