The Los Angeles Dodgers now lead the Freeway Series after a 2-1 win at Angel Stadium on Wednesday. With their batters finding their stride and a steady pitcher taking the mound, the Dodgers are gunning for a win in the final game of the series. However, the Angels are motivated more than ever to get a win as they are only a game behind the majors-leading Oakland Athletics.
It’s a full day of baseball. Check out our MLB Free Picks for the best baseball games to bet on today and read on for more on this meeting between two of the best teams in the majors.
[sc:MLBArticles ]Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Los Angeles Angels, Major League Baseball, Betting Preview and Prediction
Where: Angel Stadium, Anaheim, California
When: Thursday, August 7, 10:05 PM ET
Line: Los Angeles Dodgers (+101) at Los Angeles Angels (-111); total 7.5 – view all MLB lines
Betting on the Los Angeles Dodgers
After the win at Angels Stadium on Wednesday, the Los Angeles Dodgers have now won their last four road games.
Come the fourth game of the Freeway Series, they will be gunning for five straight. The Dodgers are starting one of their more dependable pitchers in Hyun-Jin Ryu (12-5, 3.39 ERA). Ryu has picked up three wins in his last four starts, surrendering only seven runs while striking out 28 over 26 innings. The Korean threw an impressive shutout in his lone start against the Angels last sesaon.
[sc:MLB240banner ]Ryu will have a capable bullpen behind him. Closer Kenley Jansen was impressive picking up his 32nd save of the season on Wednesday. He struck out AL MVP candidate Mike Trout and Josh Hamilton, two of the Angels’ best batters.
Meanwhile, the Dodgers are starting to heat up at the plate. Centerfielder Yasiel Puig hit a double after going hitless in the first two games of the series. First baseman Adrian Gonzalez, who’s remained hitless this series, will have his last chance to contribute in the final game of the series. He has gone 7-for-13 with two doubles against the Angels’ starter C.J. Wilson.
Matt Kemp has been great in the past two games against the Angels. The left fielder scored three of the Dodgers’ seven runs against the Angels in the series, including another homer on Wednesday, his sixth homer in the last nine games.
The Dodgers are 10-1 in games that Kemp has homered this season.
Betting on the Los Angeles Angels
The Los Angeles Angels need a win to avoid their longest losing streak against the Dodgers since they dropped four straight in 2006.
The Angels are hoping that C.J. Wilson (8-7, 4.84 ERA) finds his stride on the mound. In Wilson’s last five starts, opponents have hit .416 against him, scoring 25 earned runs over 18 innings. Wilson has won-six straight at home, although he has a 10.38 ERA in his last three home starts. Wilson also struggled in his last start against the Dodgers, giving up six runs in less than five innings in May 2013.
At the plate, the Angels’ AL MVP candidate Mike Trout has hit .245 in 13 games against the Dodgers. Trout leads the team in batting average (.302) with Howie Kendrick (.281) and Albert Pujols (.275) close by. However, all three of the Angels’ most consistent batters were left hitless at Angel Stadium on Wednesday.
The Angels’ struggles at the plate could be further emphasized in the final game of the series as they have only hit .154 against the Dodgers’ Ryu.
The total has gone under in the Angels’ last four home games.
Writer’s Prediction
The Dodgers exploit a struggling CJ Wilson giving them a 3-1 series win against the Angels. Take the Dodgers at EVEN to double your bet.
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