Angels Preview: The Los Angeles Dodgers

Los Angeles Angels : 15-8, 2nd in Cactus League Standings

Los Angeles Dodgers: 13-13 8th in Cactus League Standings

Advanced Stats: Last season the Angels held steady at 3rd place in the AL West with a 85-77 record. The Angels scored 661 runs while giving up a total of 675 runs. Naturally, Mike Trout had the highest WAR (Wins above replacement) at 9.4. For the Dodgers, last season they we’re first place in the NL West with a record of 92-70. The Dodgers scored 667 runs while only giving up 595 runs. The Dodgers would lose in the NL Division series to the New York Mets three games to two. Zack Greinke was the Dodgers best player last season with a WAR of 9.9, Greinke would sign with the Arizona Diamondbacks for a six-year deal worth $206.5 million.

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Last Meeting: The Last time these two teams played was a spring training game on March 11th, in which the Angels would win by a score of eight to four. Greg Mahle was decent on the mound, the Dodgers scored four runs in the first 3 innings and would remain scoreless throughout the rest of the game. Geovany Soto had an exceptional day at the plate; going to bat three times, driving in three RBI’s and he would score a run as well. Seeing as to how this was a spring training game, the regular starters didn’t see the field in this match-up. The first meeting against the Dodgers resulted in a 13-13 tie and we learned about the status of Jered Weaver after a dreadful day on the mound.

Keys to the series: The “Freeway Series” has always been a rivalry between these two teams. The Angels and Dodgers are both heading into this season with key players to be on the DL. Yasmani Grandal (forearm) and former Angel Howie Kendrick (calf) will both likely miss this series versus the Angels. The Angels will have C.J. Wilson (shoulder) on the DL and most likely Jered Weaver (spine) will miss this series.

While this remains a exhibition series and will likely set the tone for how the Angels look before opening day, I wouldn’t put a ton of stock into this as far as wins and losses go. The bats have been working for the Angels in Spring Training as they have averaged 6.8 runs per game, which is two runs higher than all of last season. The first game between will be on Thursday night at Dodgers Stadium with the first pitch scheduled for 7:10 pm Pacific Time. Let’s get it on!!!