Game: Los Angeles Dodgers @ Los Angeles Angels
Time: 9:38 p.m. ET
Odds: Dodgers -210, Angels +175
Total: 8
Earlier this season, this matchup had all the makings of a great one. Fast forward into July and now it’s a series that heavily favors the Dodgers. The Boys in Blue have won 13 of their last 15 games and have the best record in the National League. On the other side, the Angels have dropped 10 of their last 12 games and, after leading the AL West at one point this season, are now 20 games out of first place.
The two teams did play once earlier this season. It was a quick two-game series in which the Dodgers won both games – 2-0 and 4-1. Tonight, the Dodgers will put Clayton Kershaw up against Patrick Sandoval. While he may not be quite the three-time Cy Young award winner he once was, Kershaw is still very effective. He is 6-2 with a 2.40 ERA for the season. He won his last start by pitching 7.2 innings and allowing just one earned run in a 4-2 win over the Cubs. Since Kershaw returned from an injury, that is one of only two Dodgers wins in six starts.
Sandoval has actually been an effective option for the Angels. He is only 3-4, but Sandoval’s ERA is 2.95. He doesn’t have the lineup behind him to offer run support. In his last seven starts, Sandoval allowed 1 or 2 earned runs five times. The Angels lost all but one of those games. In his last start for example, Sandoval pitched 6.1 innings, gave up one run, and struck out 10. The Angels lost to Baltimore 1-0.
The Dodgers have the offensive advantage. They have been battling the Yankees all season for the scoring lead. The Dodgers rank second in runs per game at 5.07. They rank first or second in the NL in batting average, OBP, slugging, OPS, total bases, runs, doubles, and walks. It’s equally impressive on the mound where the Dodgers are first in ERA and opponent hits, runs, walks, and earned runs.
The Dodgers have won nine of their last ten games and eight of their last 12 on the road. They have also beaten the Angels in four of the last five head-to-head meetings. The Angels have just one win in their last seven games and recently got swept in four games by Baltimore. Playing at home has not been an advantage for the Angels either. They are 7-13 in their last 20 home games and 22-25 for the season.
Against left-handed pitchers, the Angels are 11-13. The Dodgers, on the other hand, have one of the better records in MLB against lefties – 17-11. The Angels really don’t do well at all ranking in the bottom third of the AL in runs, hits, batting average, and OBP. In five of the last six Dodgers-Angels games, the total has gone Under. However, in five of the last six Dodgers-Angels games played in Anaheim, the total has gone Over.