The freeway series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Los Angeles Angels is always an interesting one. The Angels always show up and seem to have the Dodgers’ number even though the Dodgers always have the better team. This year, the Angels have a record of 55-54, sitting in 4th place by 10 games in the AL West and 6 games out of the wild card. On the other hand, the Dodgers are 65-44, sitting in 2nd place by four games in the NL West and first in the wild card by 3.5 games.
The first game of the series was a matchup between David Price and Patrick Sandoval. David pitched 5.1 innings, giving up two runs on four hits and striking out four batters. He did an adequate job, nothing spectacular but he got the job done. Price has been a pleasant surprise pitcher for the Dodgers, going from reliever to starter and continuing to pitch well during the whole season. The bullpen did their job for the most part. The unfortunate part of this game is that it went into extra innings and the Dodgers did what they always do in extra innings: lose. Garrett Cleavinger, who has been horrendous in the 10th inning this season, gave up two runs (1 ER) and only getting one out.
Offensively, the Dodgers had a bunch of sporadic hits that didn’t turn into anything worthwhile. Mookie Betts and Max Muncy were the only offensive standouts for the Dodgers with both getting two hits. The Dodgers had 11 hits in this game but only three runs which is painful to see especially when losing 4-3 in 10 innings.
The second game of the series was special as Trea Turner returned from the COVID protocol to start his first game with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The matchup between the Angels’ Jaime Barria and the Dodgers’ Julio Urias was very balanced as both pitchers gave up three runs. Julio was not as sharp as he has been. The bullpen for the Dodgers shut down the Angels offense, giving up no runs in four innings of work. Brusdar Graterol, who has been pitching well in his last few outings, got the Dodgers’ win. The Dodger offense was effective this game, getting five runs on nine hits. Cody Bellinger had an incredible clutch homerun in the bottom of the 7th inning to tie the game at three apiece. Bellinger is slowly finding a groove these last few games, hitting for an average of .250 after hitting well below the Mendoza line (.200 Average). Mr. Reliable, Chris Taylor, came up big in the bottom of the 8th inning with a two-run double giving the Dodgers a 5-3 win.
In the rubber match of the series, the pitching matchup was between the Dodger’s Walker Buehler and the Angels’ rookie Reid Detmers. Walker has been one of the best pitchers in baseball this year, and this game was no different. Buehler threw six innings, giving up one run on four hits while striking out eight. He did, however, gave up four walks which is uncharacteristic of him. Today’s bullpen pieces were players no one thought would be pitching for the MLB Dodgers this season but are because of all the injuries. Phil Bickford and Justin Bruihl both gave up no runs in their appearances. Kevin Quackenbush gave up one run on three hits, getting only one out. The Dodger offense feasted off the Angels rookie pitcher, getting eight runs on 11 hits. Many Dodgers performed offensively. A.J. Pollock went 3 for 5, raising his average to .309. Cody Bellinger and Albert Pujols both hit homeruns.
This was a fun series for both teams, made sweeter by the Dodgers winning the series two games to one. The Angels put up a good fight against the Dodgers in the first two games before the rookie pitcher lost the game for them in the 3rd game, which was expected.
The Dodgers’ next series is against the red-hot Philadelphia Phillies, who are on an 8-game win streak. This will be a big test for the new-look Dodgers. Hopefully Corey Knebel will be activated off the IL on Tuesday. Knebel will be a considerable addition to a bullpen that is slowly starting to take shape.