The Los Angeles Angels (32-29) and Los Angeles Dodgers (39-22) will open up the 2012 Freeway Series on Monday night at Dodger Stadium, with the first pitch scheduled for 10:10 ET
Los Angeles Angels at Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Angels completed a three-game road sweep of the Colorado Rockies with a thunderous 10-8 victory on Sunday, as outfielder Mark Trumbo led the way in hitting two home runs and collecting six RBIs. The Angels offense has really gotten into gear with rookie Mike Trout atop the lineup, entering this series batting .350, while combining with Torii Hunter and Albert Pujols to hit .548 with 16 RBIs in the Mile High City. The club has won 10 of its last 14 games at this ball park.
Angels starting pitcher Garrett Richards (1-0, 1.12 ERA) will be making just his fifth major league start, coming off a 6-1 home win over the Seattle Mariners last time out, giving up one run and four hits over seven frames. He has landed in the rotation due to staff ace Jered Weaver being on the 15-day disabled list with a back injury. In four career games on the road (one start), Richards has gone 0-2 with a 9.82 ERA, serving up three home runs in 7.1 frames. The Southern California native will face the Dodgers for the first time in his career.
The Los Angeles Dodgers continue to build upon the best record in the majors without its superstar, posting a 7-3 record in the first 10 days of June. The Dodgers are doing it without MVP candidate Matt Kemp, who has landed on the 15-day disabled list two separate times this year with a hamstring injury. Fellow outfielder Andre Ethier has been asked to pick up the slack, but he enters this series with just two hits in his last 30 at-bats. Los Angeles is 21-9 at home this season, including a 17-7 mark when the total is 7 or less.
Dodgers starting pitcher Chris Capuano (8-2, 2.82 ERA) will be making his first start at home this month, splitting a pair of road outings in his last two efforts, including a 6-5 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies last time out. The left-hander has tallied a perfect 5-0 record and 1.36 ERA in five home starts, holding opponents to a .183 batting average. He suffered a 4-3 home loss to the Angels in his only career start against them on June 17 of last year as a member of the New York Mets, while going 7-6 with a 5.32 ERA in 16 career interleague games (15 starts).
Bettors will likely play the total in this contest, with the “over” going 4-0 in the Angels last four games against left-handed starters, while the Dodgers have climbed over the number in their last four games as a favorite.
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