Los Angeles @ Los Angeles preview
Angel Stadium
Last Meeting ( Jun 26, 2011 ) LA Angels 2, LA Dodgers 3
THE STORY: After a four-day break, the Los Angeles Angels and Dodgers will resume the Freeway Series on Friday night in Anaheim. The Angels won two of three in the opening series at Dodgers Stadium last weekend and enter the three-game set fresh off a sweep of the Washington Nationals. Rookie Tyler Chatwood, who is 3-0 against the National League this season, will take the mound for the Angels. Hiroki Kuroda will provide the opposition.
TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, Fox Sports West, PRIME
PITCHING MATCHUP: Los Angeles Dodgers RH Hiroki Kuroda (5-9, 3.10 ERA) vs. Los Angeles Angels RH Tyler Chatwood (5-4 3.64 ERA)
Kuroda returns to the mound seeking his first win since May 17. In his last start against the Angels, Kuroda allowed just two runs and three hits in five innings, but received little run support from his offense. Despite sporting an 0-4 record in June, Kuroda pitched well, amassing a 2.12 ERA in his five starts.
Chatwood returns to the mound for his second consecutive start against the Dodgers. Last weekend, the Angels' rookie picked up his second straight win by pitching seven strong innings and allowing just one run on four hits. Chatwood has allowed just one run in his last 14 innings and has cut down on his walks issued in recent starts. He seems to be getting accustomed to the majors, having lasted at least seven innings in four of his five starts in June with a 2.78 ERA in the month.
ABOUT THE DODGERS (36-46): The Dodgers find themselves in last place in the National League West as the All-Star break approaches. The Dodgers' recent series against the Minnesota Twins was a microcosm of their season to this point. Los Angeles scored 15 runs in the series opener against the Twins, but managed just four runs in the last two games as the team dropped two of three in the set. Los Angeles has dropped five of its last seven games, but could benefit from the return of Rafael Furcal, who has been on the disabled list. Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said Furcal could be available as soon as this weekend's series.
ABOUT THE ANGELS (42-40): After limping through the early part of June, the Angels ended the month by winning six of their last seven. The Halos have won seven of their last nine games against the Dodgers and outscored their rivals 16-7 in the three-game series last weekend. The key for the Angels has been the re-emergence of their offense. The team has produced double-digit hit totals in seven of its last 10 games and is hitting .300 as a team during that stretch.
FINAL PITCH: The schedule makers were kind to the Angels in July. The team won't leave California until it opens a series at Baltimore on July 22.