Free MLB Picks Today: Los Angeles Dodgers vs Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 7/7/23

The Los Angeles Dodgers (49-38), one of the best offenses in MLB, is set to host the Los Angeles Angels (45-44) at Dodger Stadium on Friday to open a two-game Interleague series.

The Angels were just swept in three games against the Padres, dropping the finale 5-3 on Wednesday at Petco Park. Matt Thaiss was 1 for 2 with a solo home run.

The Dodgers are in the midst of a six-game homestand. They won three of four against the Pirates in their last series, taking the finale 5-2 on Thursday at Dodger Stadium.

Freddie Freeman’s on-base streak hit 12 as he went 3 for 4 with a home run and a double. He scored two runs and had three RBIs. Mookie Betts added two doubles and two runs.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The Dodgers have won all two games this season between the L.A. rivals, including a 2-0 victory in their most recent meeting on June 21 at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Victor Gonzalez threw 1.1 scoreless innings of relief to get the win, and Evan Phillips earned his ninth save with a scoreless ninth.

ON THE MOUND

Griffin Canning (6-3, 4.29 ERA) is set to get the start for Los Angeles. The righty allowed five runs over six innings in his last start, a 6-2 road defeat against the Diamondbacks on June 30.

He took the loss, yielding three hits while striking out nine and walking four. For the Dodgers, right-hander Tony Gonsolin (4-3, 3.69 ERA) gets the ball. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Angels.

Gonsolin made one start against the Angels in 2022, throwing 6.1 innings in a 2-0 home win on June 14. He gave up one hit and walked two while striking out six in the win.

In his last start on Sunday, Gonsolin took the loss on the road against the Royals. He threw 3.2 innings and gave up four runs on six hits, striking out three and walking three in the 9-1 defeat.

AT THE PLATE

The Angels offense is averaging 4.9 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .256/.331/.442. Shohei Ohtani leads the team in OPS at 1.033. He is slashing .296/.383/.650 with 31 home runs, 68 RBIs, and 61 runs over 87 games.

Over the last five games, though, the Angels have averaged only 3.4 runs a game while slashing worse across the board (.217/.296/.398). Against righties like Gonsolin this season, the Halos have a .773 OPS, fifth highest in the league.

Ohtani also is the team’s best hitter against right-handers with a 1.035 OPS in 244 at-bats. The Dodgers are slashing .242/.328/.447 for the season and averaging 5.4 runs per game, fourth best in MLB.

Four Dodgers hitters have an OPS of .800 or better, led by Freeman (.939). The first baseman has 15 home runs, 57 RBIs, and 68 runs scored with a slash line of .320/.397/.542.

The Dodgers have a .777 OPS against right-handers in 2023, the fourth highest in the league. With a .910 OPS over 246 at-bats, Freeman also has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

The Angels are on a four-game losing streak in road games, bringing their record to 22-24 in 2023. The Halos have scored 5.2 runs per game away from home while allowing 4.6 runs.

The Dodgers have gone 27-16 at home this season, averaging 5.4 runs per game while surrendering 4.1. In the last 10 games at Dodger Stadium between the teams, the Dodgers are 7-3 with an average scoreline of 4.9-2.9.

STANDINGS UPDATE

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