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Sampson Sailing

Not much has slowed down John Lackey and the red-hot Los Angeles Angels lately.

Lackey tries to become the majors' first 11-game winner when the Angels open a nine-game homestand with a three-game series against the Houston Astros on Monday.

The AL West-leading Angels (44-26) are a major league-best 27-10 since May 9, and have won 11 of their last 12 series.

Everything's a Mess

Josh Johnson will return to the mound for the first time since a right arm injury halted his impressive rookie season when the Florida Marlins open a three-game interleague set with the struggling Chicago White Sox on Monday night.

Johnson, 23, has not pitched in the majors since Sept. 12, 2006, when he scattered three hits in five scoreless innings before exiting with a stiff biceps muscle as the Marlins (33-37) went on to lose 6-4 to the New York Mets.

Tigers Return to RFK

The Detroit Tigers hope their recent interleague success can continue in a stadium they have not played in for almost 36 years when they visit the Washington Nationals on Monday.

Detroit is returning to RFK Stadium for the first time since Sept. 1971, when it swept a three-game series from the Washington Senators - who relocated and became the Texas Rangers the following season.

Sunday Night Baseball

Behind Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter, the New York Yankees will try to salvage a split of their interleague season series with the New York Mets for the third year in a row.

Led at the plate by the left side of their infield, the surging Yankees wrap up their weekend set with the scuffling Mets on Sunday night.

Arizona Tries to Sweep

A visit to Camden Yards has helped the Arizona Diamondbacks rediscover their offense.

The Diamondbacks look to complete their fifth series sweep of at least three games on Sunday afternoon when they face the plummeting Baltimore Orioles.