The Los Angeles Dodgers (57-45) remained half a game on top of the San Francisco Giants in the NL West standings after recording a thrilling comeback victory over the Oakland Athletics on Wednesday. The Nationals will look to maintain that slim advantage later tonight when they take on the struggling Los Angeles Angels (55-46) in the opening game of their three-game set.
Who will emerge victorious in this interleague matchup? Read on below for a breakdown of this mouth-watering showdown and while you’re at it you can check out our preview of the game between the Washington Nationals and New York Mets.
[sc:MLBArticles ]Los Angeles Angels vs. Los Angeles Dodgers Preview
Where: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles
When: Friday, July 31, 10:10 PM ET
Line: Los Angeles Angels (+195) at Los Angeles Dodgers (-225); total: 6.0 – view all MLB lines
Betting on the Los Angeles Angels
The Los Angeles Angels crashed to their third consecutive defeat with a gut-wrenching 3-0 loss to the Houston Astros on Thursday night. Jason Castro drilled a three-run homer with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning to help the Astros complete the series sweep. The Angels have now lost five of their last six games as they fell two games behind the first-place Astros in the AL West standings.
[sc:MLB240banner ]For the Angels to snap their losing skid tonight, they need a solid pitching performance from starter Hector Santiago (7-4, 2.43 ERA). The Angels have won five of their last six games with Santiago as their starter. He struggled in his last start, though, allowing four runs on five hits in five innings of action in the Angels’ 7-6 loss to the Texas Rangers. That broke Santiago’s streak of five outings with one or fewer runs allowed. The 27-year-old had a 1.13 ERA over a five-start stretch prior to his no-decision against the Rangers.
He has now allowed 17 baserunners in just 10 innings over his last two starts. Given Santiago’s recent struggles, it’s crucial for the Angels hitters to wake up from their slumber tonight. Providing a major boost for the Angels in the series opener is the returning Mike Trout. He started against the Houston Astros on Thursday night after missing two games because of an injured left wrist.
He leads the team in hits (113), homers (31) and RBIs (64) this season. He is 2-for-3 in his career against Clayton Kershaw. He went 0-for-3 last night in the series finale against the Astros.
The Angels are 1-4 in their last five road games.
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Betting on the Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers returned to winning ways Wednesday with a dramatic 10-7 victory against the Oakland Athletics. It was a fantastic win by the Dodgers who rallied from a three-run deficit late in the game. The Dodgers will look to sustain the momentum from that huge victory when they take on the Los Angeles Angels in their series opener tonight.
Starting for the Dodgers this evening is ace Clayton Kershaw (8-6, 2.51 ERA). The 27-year-old was simply unstoppable in his last start, pitching a three-hit shutout in Los Angeles’ 3-0 win over the New York Mets. He has now extended his scoreless streak to an incredible 29 innings.
In Kershaw’s last five starts (40 innings), he has surrendered just two earned runs with 54 strikeouts and two walks. He’s the first pitcher since Ray Culp in 1968 with eight shutout innings and at least 11 strikeouts in three straight starts. In those three games, Kershaw has recorded at least 10 strikeouts and no walks, matching Tampa Bay’s Chris Archer for the longest streak in the last 100 years.
The main concern, however, for Kershaw heading into tonight’s ballgame is his recurring hip problems. He was scratched from his scheduled start against Oakland on Wednesday because of soreness in his right hip and gluteus muscle. With Kershaw’s status still uncertain at this point, it’s crucial for the Dodgers to get their bats going tonight. Expected to lead the offense this evening against the Angels is first baseman Adrian Gonzalez. He is 4-of-13 in his last four games with three doubles and one RBI. Gonzalez is 1-of-4 lifetime against Angels starter Hector Santiago with two RBIs.
The Dodgers are 6-4 in their last 10 home games.
Writer’s Prediction
The Dodgers (-225) edge past the Angels, 3-1.
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