Freeway Series pitching matchups

The Dodgers on Thursday continue their annual exercise of beating their heads against the wall, as they open the Freeway Series against the Angels in Anaheim. The clubs play three games this weekend, with Thursday and Saturday's contests in Anaheim and Friday at Dodger Stadium.

Not only have the Dodgers struggled in the regular season against the Angels, but have done so in preseason exhibitions as well. The last year the Dodgers won a regular season series from the Angels was 2006, and they have lost 26 of their last 38 games to the Angels overall. In the preseason it has been more of the same, as the Dodgers are 3-15-3 against the Angels in the spring Freeway Series dating back to 2004.

The last year the Dodgers won a preseason Freeway Series was in 2003 when they captured both games against their red nemesis from the south.

Here is a look at the pitching matchups this weekend:

Thursday, 7:05 p.m. (Anaheim): Hyun-jin Ryu vs. Joe Blanton

Friday, 7:10 p.m. (Dodger Stadium): Josh Beckett vs. Jason Vargas

Saturday, 6:05 p.m. (Anaheim): Zack Greinke vs. Tommy Hanson