The Los Angeles Dodgers enjoyed a successful, albeit short road trip, and now begin the first leg of their annual Freeway Series matchup against the Los Angeles Angels.
It starts with two games at Dodger Stadium before the Dodgers enjoy a rare Sunday off day that leads into yet another road trip. The Dodgers swept the Angels in four games last season and have won 10 in a row during the Freeway Series, which is their longest such streak in the head-to-head matchups.
Overall in Interleague play this season, the Dodgers are 9-6 as they navigate a stretch of playing 14 of 18 games against American League opponents.
Friday’s matchup is noteworthy in that it represents Shohei Ohtani’s first time playing against the Angels during the regular season. He did so multiple times during Spring Training and largely downplayed this weekend series. Ohtani believes he will have more emotions when the Dodgers play in Anaheim from Sept. 3-4.
In four games since being moved into the leadoff spot of the Dodgers lineup because of Mookie Betts’ injury, Ohtani is 8-for-18 with three doubles, two home runs and seven RBI. He additionally has scored a run and collected at least one RBI five games in a row.
Ohtani and the Dodgers look to provide run support for Landon Knack, who is making his fifth start of the season. J.P. Feyereisen was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City as the corresponding roster move to Knack getting recalled.
Knack is 1-1 with a 2.61 ERA and 0.97 WHIP while holding opponents to a .189 batting average in four starts for the Dodgers thus far.
He’s opposed by Patrick Sandoval in what’s his 16th start of the year. Sandoval enters 2-8 with a 5.40 ERA and has allowed three earned runs or fewer in three of his last four outings.
Sandoval faces a lineup that includes Teoscar Hernández batting second for the first time this season.
Dodgers lineup
DH: Shohei Ohtani
RF: Teoscar Hernández
1B: Freddie Freeman
CF: Andy Pages
SS: Miguel Rojas
LF: Miguel Vargas
3B: Kiké Hernández
2B: Chris Taylor
C: Austin Barnes
Angels lineup
1B: Nolan Schanuel
3B: Luis Rengifo
LF: Taylor Ward
DH: Willie Calhoun
C: Logan O’Hoppe
SS: Zach Neto
CF: Mickey Moniak
2B: Michael Stefanic
RF: Jo Adell
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
