Freeway Series 2020: Five things to watch for when Angels meet Dodgers

The 2020 edition of the Freeway Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angeles Angels is finally upon us, and there are a few things to watch for in the series.

With records of 7-12 and 13-7 respectively, the Angels and Dodgers come into the 2020 Freeway Series under completely different circumstances. The Angels currently sit on the outside looking in on a playoff spot, while the Dodgers are tied for first place and have their sights set on the World Series.

Yet, while there are certainly differences between both teams, they both enter with the same goal. Both teams want to take the series and claim bragging rights before they meet again to close the season on September 25-27th.

For the Dodgers, that starts with avenging a series sweep by the Angels in 2019. That represented the first time the Halos have swept the season match-ups and the first time either team did so since the 1997 Dodgers went 4-0.

Overall, the Angels lead the series with a record of 70-54 and have gone 12-6 over the last four seasons. In fact, the Dodgers have only won the season series on five occasions over the 23-year history of the Freeway Series.

So while you get yourself amped up for the first pitch of the match-up at 6:40 pm PT, let’s take a look at a few things you should be watching for when the Angels meet the Dodgers on Friday night.

Free Way Series 2020 – Will Mike Trout stay hot?

Since returning from the paternity list on August 4th, Mike Trout has been a man on fire. Drawing strength from his new-found “Dad Power“, Trout has slashed .351/.390/.919 with seven home runs, 12 RBI, and 10 runs scored over his last nine games.

It’s no mystery that as Trout goes, so does the rest of the lineup. The Halos are averaging 4.8 runs per game through 11 games in August and have scored five or more runs in seven of those contests. Likewise, their 34 home runs are second in baseball, behind only the Dodgers.

While Trout is currently riding a hot streak, the Dodgers served as kryptonite for the Angels’ superman in 2019. While he did hit two home runs against the boys in blue last season, those were the only two hits he accounted for in 15 at bats. Over the course of his career, he owns a modest .246/.331/.492 slash line, eight home runs, and 19 RBI against the Dodgers.

The Angels have quite a few weapons at their disposal, but Trout having a good series will go a long way toward some much needed wins.