The Los Angeles Angels (56-54, 26-28) and the Los Angeles Dodgers (65-45, 34-20 home) continue their three-game interleague series with game two Saturday night in the City of Angels. The Angels took down the Dodgers in extra innings Friday night, winning 4-3 to take the series opener.
Saturday’s first pitch is scheduled for 9:10 p.m. EST inside Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CA. According to oddsmakers, the Dodgers are the favorites (-295), and the run total over/under is at 8.5.
What to Know – Los Angeles Angels
The Angels carry a four-game winning streak into the weekend and are closing in on a wild card spot in the American League. The Halos are only six games back of a wild card spot and currently sit in fourth place in the AL West standings.
Jaime Barria (2-0, 4.12 ERA, 1.17 WHIP) is the expected starter for the Angels. The right-hander hasn’t thrown much this season but has delivered two strong outings in his past two starts. Barria held the Oakland Athletics scoreless over 6.2 innings in his last trip to the mound, scattering four hits and striking out three.
The Angels offense ranks 18th in Major League Baseball in on-base percentage (.314) and fifth in slugging percentage (.429). With star outfielder Mike Trout still on the shelf, two-way player Shohei Ohtani has dazzled Angels’ fans at the plate with a league-leading 37 home runs and 82 runs driven in. Starting first baseman Jared Walsh and third baseman Anthony Rendon are also on the injured list, dealing a blow to the Halos offense.
What to Know – Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers made noise last week when the franchise acquired Trea Turner and Max Scherzer in a blockbuster trade prior to the trade deadline. The additions to the roster put the Dodgers in a position to make another postseason run in an attempt to defend their World Series title. Los Angeles is second in the National League West, four games behind the San Francisco Giants.
The expected starter for the Dodgers is lefty Julio Urias (13-3, 3.40 ERA, 1.05 WHIP). Urias has been a big boost to the Dodgers’ rotation, with having not lost a game in over a month. The 24-year old shut out the Arizona Diamondbacks in his last start, firing 5.0 innings, allowing four hits, and striking out seven.
Los Angeles’ offense is already one of the best in the majors, and getting Turner in the lineup will make them even better. The Dodgers are second in on-base percentage (.335) and ninth in slugging (.422). Max Muncy, Justin Turner, and Chris Taylor have all collected 60 or more RBIs this season.
The Pick is In
The Angels won a thriller last night and will have confidence heading into Saturday’s contest. However, with Urias on the mound, the Dodgers are primed for a bounce-back victory.
Urias limits the Angels lineup, and the Dodgers put up big numbers against Berria in his first shaky outing of the season. Dodgers win this, 6-2.
The Pick: Los Angeles Dodgers -1.5
