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It's time for the annual Freeway Series as the Los Angeles Angels meet the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday at Chavez Ravine. We're here to share our MLB odds series, make an Angels-Dodgers prediction, and pick while showing you how to watch.
Angels-Dodgers Projected Starters
Patrick Sandoval vs. Landon Knack
Patrick Sandoval (2-8) with a 5.24 ERA
Last Start: Sandoval went five innings in his last outing, allowing three earned runs on eight hits while striking out five and walking two in a no-decision against the San Francisco Giants.
2024 Road Splits: Sandoval has been better on the road than at home, going 2-2 with a 4.46 ERA away from Angels Stadium.
Name: TBD: Landon Knack with a 2.61 ERA
Last Start: Knack went 4 2/3 innings in his last outing, allowing one earned run on three hits while striking out five.
2024 Home Splits: Knack is 0-1 with a 2.79 ERA over two starts at Dodgers Stadium.
Here are the MLB Odds, courtesy of FanDuel.
MLB Odds: Angels-Dodgers Odds
Los Angeles Angels: +1.5 (-122)
Moneyline: +176
Los Angeles Dodgers: -1.5 (+102)
Moneyline: -210
Over: 8.5 (-110)
Under: 8.5 (-110)
How to Watch Angels vs. Dodgers
Time: 10:10 PM ET/7:10 PM PT
TV: Sportsnet LA
Stream: fuboTV (Click for free trial)
Why The Angels Will Cover The Spread/Win
The Angels are one of the worst teams in the majors. Unfortunately, things have predictably fallen by other wayside as the team has struggled once again after injuries to Mike Trout and Anthony Rendon. Not surprisingly, their offense has taken a hit.
The Angels currently rank 17th in batting average, 22nd in on-base percentage, and 21st in runs. Additionally. they are 10th in home runs and 16th in slugging percentage.
Luis Rengifo is one of the bright spots in their lineup, batting .313 with four home runs, 20 RBIs, and 27 runs. Now, he hopes to lead a lineup that has otherwise struggled. Logan O'Hoppe has not been terrible. So far, he is hitting .275 with nine home runs, 31 RBIs, and 33 runs. But Taylor Ward has been awful this season when he has not made contact. Currently, he is batting just .235 with 12 home runs, 37 RBIs, and 34 runs. While Ward could logically get to 25 home runs and 70 RBIs, he may whiff many more times.
The Angels are just 28th in team ERA. Even worse, Sandoval is 0-3 with a 5.40 ERA over five career outings against the Dodgers. Their relievers are even more concerning. Sadly, the Halos have the second-worst bullpen in baseball.
The Angels will cover the spread if Rengifo can lead the charge and get on base to start the scoring threat. Then, Sandoval needs to be careful around the edges and avoid making mistakes.
Why The Dodgers Will Cover The Spread/Win
The Dodgers are one of the best teams in baseball and are looking to finally win another World Series title. But first, they need to get through a rigorous regular season that includes a battle against their freeway rivals. Luckily, they have one of the best offenses in baseball.
The Dodgers currently rank third in batting average and home runs as well as first in on-base percentage and runs. Likewise, they are second in slugging percentage.
Ther real story here will be the faceoff between Shohei Ohtani and the Angels. Significantly, it will be the first time Ohtani faces the Halos since he spurned them to sign a mega deal with the Dodgers. While Ohtani will not visit Angels Stadium until September, this is still a big deal as he will go head-to-head with his former teammate Sandoval. This will be an intriguing matchup for Ohtani, and it will be interesting to see how he reacts and how he plays.
But Ohtani may need to do more since Mookie Betts is out for a few weeks with a broken hand. Ultimately, this means he and others may need to step up. This means Freddie Freeman will be an option to power this lineup through. Significantly, he is hitting .308 with 16 hits, four home runs, nine RBIs, and 13 runs over 14 games against the Angels in his career. Teoscar Hernandez will be another guy who can rake. Ultimately, he is batting .270 with 38 hits, seven home runs, 26 RBIs, and 18 runs in his career against the Halos.
The Dodgers are fourth in team ERA. Amazingly, they have found ways to get numerous hitters out. Their relievers have stood out as well. Significantly, they have the second-best bullpen in baseball.
The Dodgers will cover the spread if Ohtani, Freeman, and Hernandez can slug the baseball and drive runners home. Then, they need a good outing from their starter.
Final Angels-Dodgers Prediction & Pick
There will be a lot of emotions for Ohtani as he faces the Angels for the first time. While the Angels have been better on the road, they are also nowhere near the levels of talent the Dodgers have. Furthermore, they have struggled to keep up with elite teams, which is what the Dodgers are. Expect the Dodgers to pound Sandoval's pitches into the gaps and over the seats as the Dodgers cover the spread in the first of a two-game set at Chavez Ravine.
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Final Angels-Dodgers Prediction & Pick: Los Angeles Dodgers: -1.5 (+102)
