The Los Angeles Angels jump from facing all-world pitcher Clayton Kershaw into squaring off with an all-around disappointment in Mat Latos later tonight. Latos, however, brings some measure of moxie in this series finale, having performed well the last time he faced the Halos. Will Latos strengthen his case to still be part of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ rotation with a win? Or will the Angels seal this interleague series with a victory? The Dodgers won Game 2 of this series, 6-4, on Tuesday.
Read on for a detailed preview of this game. You can also click here for an overview of the AL and NL wild card races.
[sc:MLBArticles ]Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Los Angeles Angels Preview
Where: Angel Stadium of Anaheim, Anaheim
When: Tuesday, September 9, 2015, 10:00 PM ET
Line: Los Angeles Dodgers (+125) vs. Los Angeles Angels (-135); total: 8.0 – view all MLB lines
Betting on the Los Angeles Dodgers
It’s easy to see why there are swirling rumors that the patience of the Dodgers’ front office is running thin on Matt Latos. Since being acquired by the Dodgers early August, Latos has gone 0-2 with a head-shaking 6.56 ERA in five starts. But if there’s a sign that points to a solid outing later tonight by Latos, it’s the quality start he posted in a 5-3 win over the Angels on August 2.
[sc:MLB240banner ]In that game, Latos let just one earned run on four hits within six frames. The offense arrived late for the Dodgers, thus denying Latos a win, but it’s nevertheless the righty’s best performance in Dodgers uniform to date. Latos will have to be just as sharp when he faces the Halos again or else risk his place in LA’s rotation even further.
Knowing that Latos has been a wreck of late, the Dodgers’ offense will be under pressure to step up. They did just that, though, in Latos’ most recent start, a 10-7 loss to San Diego on September 3. Latos gave up four earned runs in four innings of work before letting the Dodgers’ bullpen continue doling out runs to the Padres. Backend pitching has been bad for LA of late, with the Dodgers’ relievers posting a 0-1 record to go along with a 4.95 ERA thus far this month.
Going back to the offense, the Dodgers are hoping that the bats of Adrian Gonzalez and the Joc Pederson will develop more activity. So far this September, Gonzalez is batting only .182/ .333/ .364, while Pederson is .167/.375/.333.
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Betting on the Los Angeles Angels
The Angels close their three-game home stand against the Dodgers tonight by giving the ball to Garrett Richards. The Angels, who (result of September 8 game), are 7-3 in Richards’ last 10 home starts.
Richards (13-10, 3.77 ERA) didn’t look sharp in his last start, but at least he escaped unscathed in the Angels’ 5-2 win over Texas on September 4. Against the Rangers, Richards allowed two earned runs, five hits, and issued five walks. Control has been a problem for Richards of late, as he’s already walked eight batters over his past three starts. That said, the Dodgers are just 20th in the majors in batting average (.257) when there are men on base.
More about offense, the Angels will lean on the hot bats of David Freese and Kole Calhoun, who are batting .409 and .370, respectively, over the Halos’ past six games.
Richards carries a 9-4 record, a 3.08 ERA, and a .213 opponents’ batting average in 14 home starts thus far this season.
Writer’s Prediction
The LA Angels (-135) win, 5-4.
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