Free MLB Picks Today: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim vs Los Angeles Dodgers 6/20/23

The Los Angeles Dodgers (39-33) take one of the highest-scoring lineups in the league on the road to face the Los Angeles Angels (41-33) at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Tuesday to open a two-game Interleague series.

The Dodgers just wrapped up a difficult six-game homestand (2-4). They are coming off a three-game sweep at the hands of the Giants, dropping the finale 7-3 on Sunday at Dodger Stadium. Will Smith was 2 for 3 with one RBI.

The Angels just wrapped up a productive seven-game road trip (5-2). They won two of three against the Royals in their last series, taking the finale 5-2 on Sunday at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium. Mike Trout went 2 for 3 with a home run and a double. He scored two runs. Jared Walsh added a solo home run.

The teams are meeting for the first time this season. In 2022, the Dodgers won all four games between the Los Angeles rivals, including a sweep in their most recent two-game series at Angel Stadium of Anaheim in July.

ON THE MOUND

Clayton Kershaw (8-4, 2.95 ERA) is slated to get the start for Los Angeles. The LHP is tied for the NL lead in wins fifth in ERA and tied for fifth in strikeouts (98).

Kershaw allowed two runs over six innings in his last start, an 8-4 road defeat against the White Sox on Wednesday. He yielded six hits while striking out five and walking two in the no-decision.

Kershaw made one start against the Angels in 2022, a 9-1 road victory on July 15. He allowed one hit over eight scoreless innings, striking out six.

Left-hander Reid Detmers (1-5, 4.48 ERA) will take the mound for the Angels. Detmers made one start against the Dodgers in 2022, throwing 3.2 innings in a 4-1 road defeat on June 15. He gave up four hits and walked three while striking out six in the loss.

In his last start on Wednesday, Detmers took a no-decision on the road against the Rangers. He threw six innings and gave up one run on three hits, striking out eight and walking three in the 6-3 loss.

AT THE PLATE

The Dodgers offense is averaging 5.4 runs per game for the season, fourth best in the league, with a slash line of .241/.329/.446. Four Dodgers hitters have an OPS of .800 or better, led by Freddie Freeman (.958).

The first baseman is slashing .324/.404/.554 with 13 home runs, 46 RBIs, and 59 runs over 72 games. Over the last five games, though, the Dodgers have averaged only 3.4 runs a game while performing worse across the board (.227/.310/.271).

Against southpaws like Detmers this season, the Dodgers have a .793 OPS, fifth highest in MLB. Freeman also is the team’s most productive hitter against left-handers with a 1.066 OPS in 91 at-bats.

The Angels are slashing .256/.331/.439 for the season and averaging 4.9 runs per game. Shohei Ohtani leads the team with a 1.015 OPS. He has 24 home runs, 58 RBIs, and 49 runs scored with a slash line of .300/.384/.632.

The Halos have a .773 OPS against left-handers in 2023. With a .909 OPS over 72 at-bats, Ohtani also has been their best hitter against left-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

The Dodgers are 17-19 in away games in 2023, scoring 5.5 runs per game while allowing 5.6 runs. The Angels have gone 20-14 at their home park this season, averaging 4.9 runs per game while surrendering 4.8. the Dodgers are 6-4 in the last 10 games at Angel Stadium of Anaheim between the teams with an average scoreline of 6.0-4.6.

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Dodgers are third in the NL West, four games behind the division-leading Diamondbacks. The Angels are second in the AL West, four games behind the Rangers.