Dodgers Preview: Freeway Series Continues in Anaheim for Three

ANAHEIM, CA—After a successful weekend series where the Los Angeles Dodgers took two of three against the Toronto Blue Jays, they’ll now begin a short “road trip” with a three-game interleague weekday series against the Los Angeles Angels. 

Despite taking the series versus the Blue Jays over the weekend, Los Angeles is still just 5-5 over their last ten games and settled with a series win in what could’ve been a series sweep had not the bullpen blown it on Sunday.

With the loss, the Dodgers’ lead in the National League West is now just two games over the San Diego Padres.

Overall, the Dodgers have won five of their nine August games, achieving a .556 winning percentage, but have shown signs of life over the last week. For starters, the offense has scored 43 runs already this month, more than half of what they scored in all of July.

Mookie Betts’ bat has come alive since August 5th, when the shortstop is hitting .409 with a home run and five RBIs over his last five games.

The starting rotation has also been on the money in August, with the collective might of Tyler Glasnow, Blake Snell, and Clayton Kershaw having a 1.46 ERA across 49.1 innings pitched.

As for the Los Angeles Angels, they’ve been in a deeper funk, winning just three of their last ten games and now sitting ten games back in the American League West and six games back from the final American League Wild Card spot.

Despite now being sellers at the 2025 trade deadline, the Angels’ postseason chances have been all but eliminated after an abysmal 3-6 start to August.

Still, the Angels have the upper hand in the season series versus Los Angeles this season, having swept the Dodgers back in June at Dodger Stadium.

Pitching matchups

Game One: Yoshinobu Yamamoto (10-7, 2.51 ERA) vs José Soriano (7-9, 4.01 ERA)

Game Two: Emmet Sheehan (3-2, 3.00 ERA) vs Tyler Anderson (LHP) (2-7, 4.63 ERA)

Game Three: Shohei Ohtani (0-0, 2.37 ERA) vs Kyle Hendricks (6-8, 4.63 ERA)

Game Times

Game One: 6:38 PM PT, SportsNet LA, FanDuel Sports Network West

Game Two: 6:38 PM PT, SportsNet LA, FanDuel Sports Network West

Game Three: 6:38 PM PT, SportsNet LA, FanDuel Sports Network West, MLB Network (out-of-market-only)

Who’s in & who’s out?

The Dodgers have gotten healthier as the season has gone on, and that’s more true for this upcoming week, where Dodgers insider David Vassegh said it’s expected that Michael Kopech and Tanner Scott should be activated later this week.

Scott has missed the last several weeks after being removed from his last appearance in July due to left forearm pain, which an MRI revealed was left elbow inflammation.

The lefty closer has resumed throwing and threw a bullpen this past week and could be ready to rejoin the Dodgers’ bullpen by Friday.

Kopech, 29, had knee surgery earlier this summer after only making a handful of appearances this season. The righty has been ramping up his throwing, including a bullpen session, and like Scott, should join the team by the weekend if all goes well.

23-year-old rookie right-handed pitcher Roki Sasaki is also set to begin a minor league rehab assignment this week after a successful three-inning simulated game at Dodger Stadium on Friday.

Sasaki stated that his goal is to return to the mound this season, with Dodgers manager Dave Roberts suggesting a September return and a possible role in the Dodgers ’ bullpen in October.

Utilityman Kiké Hernández is also inching closer to a return and was seen participating in baseball activities, such as fielding at third base, during the recent homestand.

The veteran right-handed bat has been out since early July with left elbow inflammation but has yet to take swings, which is his biggest hurdle before any activation.

Fellow Utilitarian Hyeseong Kim is also close to a return with the left-handed swigging speedster set to take live at-bats this week before going on a rehab assignment, per Dave Roberts.

The Dodgers will continue to be without Tommy Edman for the foreseeable future, as the team wants to prioritize the health of his ankle, an issue that has plagued him most of the season.

Right-handed pitcher Kyle Hurt has also begun a minor league rehab stint, pitching two innings for the OKC Comets, and could be an option for the team’s bullpen come September.

Day-to-day (00):

10-day Injured List (3): Tommy Edman, Kiké Hernández, Hyeseong Kim

15-day Injured List (2): Tanner Scott, Kirby Yates

60-day Injured List (9): Roki Sasaki, Tony Gonsolin, Michael Kopech, Brusdar Graterol, Michael Grove, Gavin Stone, River Ryan, Kyle Hurt, Evan Phillips

The Angels are feeling the injury bug as of late, with outfielder Bryce Teodosio listed as day-to-day with a head injury.

Teodosio was removed from the game on August 8th after hitting his head while making a play in the outfield. The outfielder was left out of the lineup the following day but was available off the bench, and the Angels stated he’s not at risk for a concussion.

Right-handed pitcher Robert Stephenson is also eying an August return after missing most of the season with a stretched nerve in his right bicep.

The righty threw a bullpen session on August 8th and came through fine, per Angels interim manager Ray Montgomery, but was unsure if he’ll throw another bullpen before a rehab assignment.

Outfielder Jorge Soler has been on the injured list since late July due to lower back inflammation and should possibly return this month.

Former long-time Dodger Chris Taylor re-fractured his hand on a diving play in right field on July 25th and is expected to miss another six to eight weeks or possibly the rest of the season.

Day-to-day (1): Bryce Teodosio

10-day Injured List (2): Jorge Soler, Chris Taylor

15-day Injured List (00):

60-day Injured List (4): Anthony Rendon, Ben Joyce, Robert Stephenson, Hunter Strickland

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