Dodgers Team News

Series Preview: Freeway Series; Dodgers vs. The Angels Angels of Anaheim

After taking 3 out of 5 from The Angels Angels of Anaheim (that moniker isn’t going away, get used to it) last year, it’s time for the annual “I-5” series for our boys in blue. The Dodgers head down the I-5 for three games to Anaheim. The Dodgers took sole control of first place last night with a Diamondbacks loss. These games are available to anyone without SportsNetLA.

 

Pitching Probables

Friday, July 6th, 7:07 PM PT

Kenta Maeda vs. Felix Pena

Kenta Maeda comes into tonight after a seven-inning performance against the Rockies. He allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits and two walks. He struck out nine batters. In his last 3 starts, Kenta is 1-1 with a 2.55 ERA and 20 K’s. Pena is a converted reliever who picked up his first win last Friday. In his first 3 starts for Anaheim, He’s 1-0 with a 2.51 ERA and 17 K’s over 14 1/3 innings.

 

Saturday, July 7th, 4:15 PM PT

Ross Stripling (probable) vs. Deck McGuire

Ross Stripling is coming off 3 of his “worst” starts so far of 2018. He’s allowed 8 earned runs in 17 innings over those last 3, but still has 18 K’s in those 17 innings. Before those 3 starts, he really was un-touchable, and Dodger fans shouldn’t fret that he’s been hit more of late. Deck McGuire made his first start for the Angels on Sunday in Baltimore. He was charged with the loss after giving up 5 runs in 3 1/3 innings.

 

Sunday, July 8th, 5:05 PM PT

Alex Wood (probably) vs. Andrew Heaney

Alex Wood meanwhile, has started to resemble 2017 Alex Wood in his last 3 starts, after struggling a bit throughout the 2018 campaign. He’s allowed only 5 earned runs over 19 innings in his last 3 starts, adding 16 K’s. He went on to win all of those starts. For the Angels, Heaney was charged with the loss in his last start on Monday despite only giving up three runs over seven innings against the Mariners. In his career he is 0-2 with a 6.10 ERA vs The Dodgers

Dodger Players To Watch For

ALL the lefties, especially in the first two games. I am going the more surprising route though. Yasmani Grandal. His tendency to be an insanely streaky hitter is no secret to Dodger fans. He goes through some of the coldest spells you’ll see a hitter go through, and then carry a telephone pole for a bat for weeks at a time. The first two starters of the series for the Angels Angels of Anaheim are righties–and Yaz typically eats them up.

Analysis

The Dodgers are now in first place, holding a 47-39 record. Taking a series from Anaheim would not only feel good for our Freeway “rivals” but also keep up with the Diamondbacks. The D-backs play 3 straight vs the lowly Padres (sorry Friars) so the Dodgers will be looking to keep the pace. I can’t in good conscience write a series preview without mentioning that we’ll be getting our first 2018 look at:

Mike Trout

This is a Dodgers website, and we should talk Dodgers as much as possible in EVERY possible moment–but as a baseball fan you have to appreciate greatness, and Mike Trout encompasses that word. He might be having his best season ever, already posting a 6.6 WAR rating. He has 24 home runs and an OBP of 454, which is absolutely ridiculous. The Dodger pitchers will be looking to keep his bat (marginally) quiet as possible. Still, let’s enjoy a weekend of the best player the sport has to offer. Hopefully this can still happen with the Dodgers winning the series.

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AJ Gonzalez

AJ is a lifelong Dodgers and Lakers fan who grew up in California. His whole family is also lifelong Dodgers fans. He lives in Pennsylvania with his wife, two kids, his guitars, and beagle Kobe.

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