(Sports Network) - John Lackey is pitching back to his old form and will lead the LA Angels of Anaheim this afternoon in the finale of a three-game series versus the Cleveland Indians at Angel Stadium.

Lackey has won six of his last seven decisions to improve to 7-2 with a 2.58 earned run average through 12 starts this season. He previously pitched on Friday versus the Boston Red Sox, allowing three runs and five hits in seven innings of an 11-3 victory.

The veteran righty, who is 3-1 with a 2.72 ERA in six home starts this season, has helped the Angels to an 8-1 mark over his past nine trips to the rubber. Lackey is just 3-5 with a 2.85 ERA in 10 career starts against the Tribe.

Los Angeles pushed its lead in the AL West to nine games over Oakland with Tuesday's 3-2 victory over the Indians, with Jeff Mathis ending with two RBI and a pair of runs scored to lead the way.

Reggie Willits had two hits and knocked in a run, while Angels starter Jered Weaver gave up two runs on three hits over three frames and labored through 77 pitches. Weaver left the game with tightness in his back and is listed as day- to-day.

Darren Oliver pitched 2 2/3 scoreless frames of relief for the win and closer Francisco Rodriguez registered his 41st save of the season with two strikeouts in the ninth.

The Angels are 4-1 on a six-game homestand and 30-21 as the host this season. After today's game at Angel Stadium, Anaheim's will put MLB's best record to the test on a tough 10-game road trip against AL East opponents Baltimore, Boston and New York.

Cleveland had a three-game winning streak come to an end last night, but lost for just the second time in nine games. Grady Sizemore homered and Franklin Gutierrez recorded the other RBI for the Indians, who are 3-2 on a six-game road trip and 18-33 away from Progressive Field this season.

The Tribe will return home for seven games versus AL Central foes MInnesota and Detroit following the current road swing.

The Indians will send Aaron Laffey to the mound this evening, and he is 1-3 over the past four decisions. Laffey lost his most recent outing Friday at Seattle, surrendering eight ruins -- three earned -- and nine hits in just 3 2/3 innings of work.

Laffey, who sports an 0-3 mark and a 5.94 ERA in six road tilts this year, faced the Angels for the first time in his career on September 9 of last season in Anaheim. The left-hander was reached for a pair of runs, one of which was earned, and six hits in five innings of a 6-2 victory.

The Angels took two of three from the Indians in Anaheim back in April.