The Los Angeles Angels (17-25) are set to face off against their cross-town rivals, the LA Dodgers (29-15), in an exciting three-game interleague series beginning tonight at Dodger Stadium, with the first pitch slated for 10:10 p.m. ET on MLB Network. This matchup marks the first meeting of the season between the two teams, with their prior encounters in 2024 ending in a split.
The Angels had a rough conclusion to their recent series against the San Diego Padres, dropping two out of three games. They managed a win in the opener with a score of 9-5 but faltered in the next two games, notably suffering a 5-1 loss where outfielder Taylor Ward provided the team’s only run with a solo home run. Despite the team struggling in their most recent outing, they had seen an upward trend in scoring previously, with the “Over” hitting in 11 of their last 15 games.
In contrast, the Dodgers are riding high after a remarkable performance against the Oakland Athletics, winning decisively 19-2 in their last game. This victory capped a series where they scored a staggering total of 28 runs over two games. Key players like Shohei Ohtani and Max Muncy delivered standout performances, with Ohtani contributing two homers and six RBIs, while Muncy added a homer and four RBIs to the mix.
As the teams prepare for tonight’s showdown, the projected starting pitchers are Jack Kochanowicz for the Angels and Dustin May for the Dodgers. Kochanowicz is set to make his ninth start of the season, bringing a 2-5 record and a 5.23 ERA. Conversely, May, who has performed well at home with a 2.20 ERA, will be looking to improve his overall record (1-3).
BetMGM Sportsbook has the Dodgers favored significantly at -300 on the moneyline, which may deter straight betters due to the high risk. An interesting betting line is the Dodgers -2.5, suggesting confidence in their offensive capabilities against Kochanowicz, who has struggled on the road. The total for the game is set at 9 runs, which seems attainable given the recent offensive production from both teams.
This interleague series promises to deliver thrilling baseball action, especially with the Dodgers’ offense firing on all cylinders. Both teams will be looking to position themselves better as the season progresses, making this matchup not just a rivalry game, but an important moment in their respective seasons.