Free MLB Picks Today: Los Angeles Dodgers vs New York Yankees 6/2/23

The Los Angeles Dodgers (34-23), one of the top lineups in baseball, are set to host the New York Yankees (34-24) at Dodger Stadium on Friday for the first of a three-game Interleague series.

The Yankees are in the midst of a six-game road trip. They won two out of three in their last series against the Mariners, dropping the finale 1-0 on Wednesday at T-Mobile Park. Kyle Higashioka was 1 for 3.

The Dodgers are in the midst of a six-game homestand. They won two of three against the Nationals in their last series, dropping the finale 10-6 on Wednesday at Dodger Stadium.

Mookie Betts went 2 for 5 with two solo home runs. Will Smith added a home run and two RBIs. The teams are meeting for the first time since August 25, 2019, when the Yankees finished off a 2-1 series win with a 5-1 victory at Dodger Stadium.

ON THE MOUND

Luis Severino (0-0, 1.93 ERA) is slated to take the mound for New York. The RHP allowed two runs (one earned) over 6.2 innings in his last start, a 3-2 road win over the Padres on Saturday. He gave up one hit while striking out five and walking three in the no-decision.

For Los Angeles, southpaw Clayton Kershaw (6-4, 2.98 ERA) gets the ball. In his last start on Saturday, Kershaw took a no-decision on the road against the Rays.

He threw five innings and gave up four runs on six hits, striking out six and walking two in the 6-5 win. The left-hander is tied for third in the NL in wins.

AT THE PLATE

The New York offense is averaging 4.7 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .239/.309/.422. Aaron Judge leads the team in OPS at 1.088. The right fielder is slashing .298/.410/.679 with 18 home runs, 39 RBIs, and 41 runs over 47 games.

Over the last five games, though, New York has averaged 6.6 runs a game while performing better across the board (.291/.325/.495).

Against southpaws like Kershaw this season, the Yanks have a .726 OPS. Anthony Rizzo is the team’s best performer against left-handers with a 1.058 OPS in 43 at-bats.

Los Angeles is slashing .242/.330/.460 for the season and averaging 5.6 runs per game, third-best in the league. Four Dodgers hitters have an OPS of .800 or better, led by Freddie Freeman (1.008).

The first baseman has 10 home runs, 35 RBIs, and 49 runs scored with a slash line of .346/.420/.588. Los Angeles is averaging 7.4 runs per game in the last five with an improved slash line (.291/.361/.589).

The Dodgers have a .792 OPS against right-handers in 2023, the second highest in MLB. With a 1.013 OPS over 155 at-bats, Freeman also has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

New York is 15-11 in road games in 2023, scoring 4.7 runs per game while allowing 3.9 runs. Los Angeles has gone 19-8 in front of their home fans this season, averaging 5.9 runs per game while surrendering 3.3. In the last 10 meetings at Dodger Stadium, New York is 6-4 with an average scoreline of 4.5-3.1.