After securing a series win over the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Los Angeles Dodgers continue their road trip with the Angel Stadium portion of the Freeway Series.
The opener marks Shohei Ohtani’s first time playing in the ballpark during the regular season as a visiting player. He previously returned to Angel Stadium in Spring Training and received a nice ovation from the fans.
Ohtani also faced the Los Angeles Angels at Dodger Stadium this past June, going 3-for-6 with a pair of home runs, four RBI and three walks in two games.
Ohtani said at the time that he was excited to face his former team but thought the upcoming games at Angel Stadium would be more emotional. The two-time MVP recently reiterated that sentiment and said the ballpark would always have a special place in his heart.
Ohtani spent the first six seasons of his career with the Angels, earning two unanimous American League MVP Awards, two Silver Sluggers, three All-Star selections and the Rookie of the Year crown in 2018.
The Dodgers send Walker Buehler to the mound in the Freeway Series opener, who is coming off one of his better starts of the season. In 4.2 innings against the Baltimore Orioles, he allowed four runs (two earned) on five hits and collected four strikeouts.
Buehler said after the game that he was pleased with the outing. “I mean in general, I think pretty encouraging,” Buehler said. “Obviously, my last start, I kind of talked about feeling more like myself, and tonight, I think it was that, but more.
“Obviously kind of some weird plays in that game and it happens. It is what it is… But no, I felt a lot better. I’m as encouraged as I’ve been since 2021 probably.”
Buehler enters at 1-4 with a 5.88 ERA, 5.85 FIP and 1.63 WHIP in 49 innings over 11 starts this season.
The Angels counter with Reid Detmers, who is making his first big league appearance since June 1 after spending the last three months with Triple-A Salt Lake.
The left-hander got off to a tough start with the Angels, posting a 3-6 record with a 6.14 ERA, 4.40 FIP, 1.48 WHIP and 10 strikeouts per nine in 63 innings pitched across 12 starts.
Detmers didn’t fare much better with the Bees, going 6-6 with a 5.54 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 11.7 strikeouts per nine in 78 innings over 14 starts.
Dodgers lineup
DH: Shohei Ohtani
RF: Mookie Betts
1B: Freddie Freeman
LF: Teoscar Hernández
C: Will Smith
CF: Tommy Edman
3B: Max Muncy
SS: Miguel Rojas
2B: Chris Taylor
Angels lineup
LF: Taylor Ward
SS: Zach Neto
1B: Nolan Schanuel
3B: Anthony Rendon
CF: Mickey Moniak
C: Logan O’Hoppe
2B: Brandon Drury
RF: Jo Adell
DH: Niko Kavadas
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