Both Los Angeles teams are right in the hunt for a division title in their respective divisions and bragging rights in Southern California are on the line when the Angels and Dodgers meet in the second of a three-game set at Dodger Stadium.
ODDS ANALYSIS
On the verge of falling out of first place in the NL West for the first time since May 29 and just the second time since the first week of the season, the Dodgers staged a dramatic comeback to beat the Athletics 10-7 on Wednesday, snapping a three-game losing skid. At 34-18, the Dodgers have one of the better home records in baseball but they’re up just 3.04 units at Dodger Stadium. The Angels are hopeful Mike Trout is ready to play after sitting a few games with an injured wrist and look to climb back on top in the AL West. After being swept in Houston, the Halos are just 1-6, down 5.74 units on the moneyline, after a stretch that saw them win 17 of 20 games. The Angels will have to contend with probable starter Zack Greinke, who just had his streak of consecutive scoreless innings snapped at 45.2.
PITCHING MATCHUP
Andrew Heaney (5-0, 1.79 ERA) was off with his command in a Sunday start against the Rangers, but still managed to pitch six innings of two-run ball. Two hit batsmen and a walk led to one Texas run in an erratic fourth inning, but overall his line was fine with six hits allowed and four strikeouts. The 24-year-old has pitched at least six innings and given up two runs or less an all of his six starts this season.
Heaney makes his first start against the Dodgers, who acquired him from Miami in December and then sent him to the Angels for Howie Kendrick the same day.
Zack Greinke (9-2, 1.37 ERA) had his consecutive scoreless innings streak snapped at 45.2 in Sunday’s no-decision loss to the Mets, in which he allowed two runs in seven innings. Although his streak ended, Greinke has earned the win in four of his last five starts and has been the best pitcher in baseball this season. His 1.37 ERA is 0.68 better than the second best in the Majors, New York’s Jacob deGrom.
Greinke has proven to be human when he faces the Angels, going 1-5 with a 4.07 ERA and 1.41 WHIP across 59.2 innings in 10 lifetime appearances – nine starts – against them.
QUOTE TO NOTE
“I think this will give us a much better look against right-handed pitching while still being able to set the table for our middle guys. When you create depth it’s great for your team and sometimes some at-bats will be shared. I think we’ll be more balanced.” – Angels’ manager Mike Scioscia on the acquisitions of Shane Victorino, David DeJesus and David Murphy.
LIVE BETTING or SITUATIONAL BETTING
The Angels opened their crucial AL West series with Houston having their MVP watching from the bench. Mike Trout missed the first two games of the series as he continued to nurse a sore left wrist he injured while attempting to make a diving catch in Sunday’s game. According to Trout, his wrist injury is responding well to treatment and a trip to the disabled list is unlikely. But the club is being cautious with their star. “They want it to be – and I want it to be – 100 percent. I don’t want to have a setback,” he said. Manager Mike Scioscia got a good look at new acquisitions David DeJesus and David Murphy, plugging both players into the starting lineup. However, missing the reigning league MVP, who leads the Major Leagues in home runs, is something the Angels can do without.
PROP TALK
With trade rumors swirling around him, Yasiel Puig finally had a big night offensively for the Dodgers on Wednesday. Puig went 2 for 4 on his bobblehead night at Dodger Stadium with a home run and three RBIs in LA’s comeback win over the A’s. The homer was his seventh of the season and third in the last eight games, and the big night couldn’t have come at a better time for him with his name being tossed around the rumor mill. It would be a surprise to see LA sell low on a world class talent and a big final two months are likely.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
Anything can happen in the annual Freeway Series and there’s plenty at stake with both teams battling for first place in their division. Dodgers’ ace Zack Greinke finally allowed a run, though an error helped, snapping his scoreless innings streak, and he hasn’t been particularly sharp against the Angels during his career. The Angels will have Mike Trout back in the lineup after resting his sore wrist for a few games, and he’s had success against Greinke – remember the All-Star Game? Trout and the Halos prevail behind Andrew Heaney in a low scoring affair.
Angels 3, Dodgers 2
The MLB odds for this game will be available first at BookMaker Sportsbook. Gamble on the game between every half inning with BookMaker’s live betting feature. Along with an adjusted in-game moneyline, you can wager on what will happen in the next at-bat or how many runs will be scored in the next inning. Live betting is the most exciting way to play!
Load your betting bankroll from your smartphone with BookMaker’s new cashier feature! Depositing and withdrawing funds from your account has never been easier. BookMaker's live betting platform means you always have access to odds and lines to every sporting event. Click here and start wagering today! First pitch for the game between the Los Angeles Angels and Los Angeles Dodgers is scheduled for Saturday, August 1, 2015, at 4:05 p.m. ET at Dodger Stadium. The contest will be televised nationally on FS1.
