True Blue LA - June 28: Angels 3, Dodgers 2Where The Dodger Dogs Are Always Grilledhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49563/truebluela_fav.png2017-06-28T22:43:41-07:00http://www.truebluela.com/rss/stream/156532472017-06-28T22:43:41-07:002017-06-28T22:43:41-07:00Dodgers literally throw one away
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<img alt="MLB: Los Angeles Dodgers at Los Angeles Angels" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ZrZD2U2qJg2EK-FmlSZimfo4hVc=/0x0:4901x3267/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/55499657/usa_today_10136239.1498715021.jpg" />
<figcaption>Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>4 straight losses in Anaheim for the Dodgers</p> <p id="gTbYlE">The <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> were incredibly sloppy in the bottom of the ninth inning, culminating in a bizarre passed ball and throwing error combination by <span>Yasmani Grandal</span>, giving the <a href="https://www.halosheaven.com/">Angels</a> a walk-off, throw-off 3-2 victory over the Dodgers on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium in Anaheim.</p>
<p id="89jMkm">Seemingly nothing went the Dodgers’ way in the home half of the ninth, starting with <span>Ben Revere</span> reaching with one out on a fielding error by <span>Chris Taylor</span> at shortstop. Revere moved to second on a wild pitch by <span>Pedro Baez</span>, before the unbelievable final play.</p>
<p id="OiGm5L">Baez struck out Cameron Maybin, seemingly for the second out of the inning, but the ball got by Grandal for a passed ball. Grandal still had plenty of time to throw out Maybin at first, but double clutched and threw wildly to first base, where <span>Chase Utley</span> inexplicably tried to stay on the bag while catching the ball and had no chance as the ball went down the line in right field, allowing the speedy Revere to trot home with the game-winner.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Winning ugly. <a href="https://t.co/veuqVdPPSC">pic.twitter.com/veuqVdPPSC</a></p>— Angels (@Angels) <a href="https://twitter.com/Angels/status/880300045039521792">June 29, 2017</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Grandal put the blame on himself for the final sequence. Said he double clutched, rushed his throw realizing Revere had the speed to score.</p>— J.P. Hoornstra (@jphoornstra) <a href="https://twitter.com/jphoornstra/status/880302096091828224">June 29, 2017</a>
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<p id="0WamRp">This was just minutes after Grandal was the hero of the game for the Dodgers.</p>
<p id="sAgEb2">Down 2-1, they were down to their last strike in the ninth inning when Grandal launched a slider from <span>Cam Bedrosian</span> over the center field wall to tie the score.</p>
<p id="Baix70">The Dodgers hit two home runs on the night, giving them 47 in June, establishing a new LA Dodgers record for home runs in a month. The only time the franchise has seen more home runs in a month was in 1953, when Brooklyn hit 49 home runs in July then did the same in August.</p>
<h3 id="Ybzift">Tough luck for Ryu</h3>
<p id="BSsLfT">Two balls hit by <span>Andrelton Simmons</span> were the story for Hyun-jin Ryu on Wednesday, who had nothing to show for one of his best starts of the season.</p>
<p id="BXLrEh">Simmons’ first salvo was a 101-mph rocket single off the right foot or ankle of Ryu in the fourth inning. Ryu stayed on the ground for a few minutes, then limped around the mound for a moment before amazingly staying in.</p>
<p id="8NNof1">The game was scoreless at that point, and Ryu remained effective, even striking out two in the fifth inning. </p>
<p id="svnjpr"><span>Kole Calhoun</span> greeted Ryu in the sixth with a ground rule double, but Ryu got the next two outs and appeared headed for another scoreless frame.</p>
<p id="qvic34">But that’s when Ryu hung a curveball to Simmons, who deposited it well over the left field wall for the first runs of the game. </p>
<p id="TTDGUj">Those were the first runs Ryu has ever allowed to the Angels in his career, in three starts and in his 22nd inning against them.</p>
<p id="M5lEkH">Ryu never got to complete the sixth, because he allowed two more singles after the home run then was pulled. <span>Grant Dayton</span> walked a batter to load the bases, then Revere drove a ball deep to right field that seemed ticketed for extra bases and at least two runs. But Yasiel Puig was able to track it down for the catch to end the frame, his second highlight defensive play in three days.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Good luck if you're hitting to <a href="https://twitter.com/YasielPuig">@YasielPuig</a>. <br><br> : <a href="https://t.co/GpUu7v4itz">https://t.co/GpUu7v4itz</a> <a href="https://t.co/EsUYIXB6GG">pic.twitter.com/EsUYIXB6GG</a></p>— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) <a href="https://twitter.com/Dodgers/status/880288816195661824">June 29, 2017</a>
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<h3 id="cBS6Fo">Effectively wild</h3>
<p id="nMKr8w"><span>Alex Meyer</span> walked five batters in the first three innings, but the Dodgers were unable to capitalize. They managed just one hit against Meyer in six innings — a fourth-inning single by Grandal — and didn’t score against him.</p>
<p id="jcC40q">Meyer became the first pitcher to walk five or more against the Dodgers while allowing no runs since <span>Kris Johnson</span> of the <a href="https://www.twinkietown.com/">Twins</a> <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/tiny/QkRLP">in the second game of a doubleheader on May 1, 2014</a>. The last pitcher to do so in five or more innings was <span>Randy Wolf</span> with the <a href="https://www.brewcrewball.com/">Brewers</a> in 2011.</p>
<p id="g6up0w">The Dodgers got one run back in the eighth inning, when <span>Trayce Thompson</span> greeted reliever <span>Keynan Middleton</span> with a home run to left field. It was the first hit of the year in the majors for Thompson, who was 0-for-13 before that blast.</p>
<p id="pFGsym"><span>Justin Turner</span> nearly added another home run against Middleton, but his drive to right center field died on the warning track and fell into the waiting glove of <span>Cameron Maybin</span> to end the eighth.</p>
<h3 id="YM8Mhv">Up next</h3>
<p id="bSDvnW">The Dodgers go for a Freeway Series split on Thursday night, and will send ace <span>Clayton Kershaw</span> to the mound in the Anaheim finale. The Angels will counter with right-hander <span>JC Ramirez</span>.</p>
<h3 id="SAg2qa">Wednesday particulars</h3>
<p id="a4KDYZ"><strong>Home runs</strong>: <span>Trayce Thompson</span> (1), Yasmani Grandal (10); Andrelton Simmons (8)</p>
<p id="eTcGaB"><strong>WP - </strong><span><strong>Cam Bedrosian</strong></span><strong> (2-0)</strong>: 1 IP, 2 hits, 1 run, 1 strikeout</p>
<p id="VowciU"><strong>LP - Pedro Baez (0-1)</strong>: ⅓ IP, 1 unearned run, 1 strikeout</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2017/6/28/15891564/yasmani-grandal-penthouse-outhouse-wtf-throw-dodgers-comeback-angels-recapEric Stephen2017-06-28T16:31:14-07:002017-06-28T16:31:14-07:00Seager still out, but Puig returns to lineup
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<img alt="Los Angeles Dodgers v Cincinnati Reds" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/qDJHn69PWfqWfri8MrBx_Nvvnfk=/0x0:3888x2592/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/55496269/697029976.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p id="qeWWDl"><a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> shortstop <span>Corey Seager</span> is out of the starting lineup for a fifth straight day, this time in Anaheim against the <a href="https://www.halosheaven.com/">Angels</a> on Wednesday night.</p>
<p id="UxSgEF">Seager did work out on the field before the game, but did not clear whatever threshold was needed to rejoin the lineup. So he remains in limbo, somewhere in between not starting but possibly available and the disabled list.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Corey Seager testing his right hamstring. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Dodgers?src=hash">#Dodgers</a> <a href="https://t.co/jYdWeX4yzX">pic.twitter.com/jYdWeX4yzX</a></p>— David Vassegh (@THEREAL_DV) <a href="https://twitter.com/THEREAL_DV/status/880180902550061057">June 28, 2017</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Dodgers?src=hash">#Dodgers</a> Corey Seager putting his hamstring to the soft-toss test <a href="https://t.co/8pitPAQM66">pic.twitter.com/8pitPAQM66</a></p>— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) <a href="https://twitter.com/billplunkettocr/status/880182459177893888">June 28, 2017</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Corey Seager said he ran/swung as close to 100 percent as possible today. If he feels well tomorrow, should be back.</p>— J.P. Hoornstra (@jphoornstra) <a href="https://twitter.com/jphoornstra/status/880204773789581313">June 28, 2017</a>
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<p id="9Evt8y"><span>Yasiel Puig</span> is back in the lineup after sitting on Tuesday with hamstring and knee soreness. Puig starts in right field.</p>
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<p id="Jpw6sX"><span>Trayce Thompson</span> starts in left field with <span>Chase Utley</span> at first base on Wednesday. <span>Chris Taylor</span> gets the call at shortstop.</p>
<p id="HE0SLJ"><span>Cody Bellinger</span> starts at designated hitter, a pseudo rest for someone who has played every game since getting called up to the majors. Since his debut, <span>Bellinger</span> not only leads the majors in home runs (24) and RBI (56), but also leads the team in games (59 entering Wednesday) and starts (57 before this game).</p>
<p id="gPc0df">This is the 21st year of interleague play, and the Dodgers have gotten less production out of their designated hitters <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/tiny/KEU48">than all but one other team in baseball during that span</a>. Dodgers DHs have hit .230/.311/.335 — only the Expos/<a href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Nationals</a> have been worse, with a .634 OPS — and their 10 home runs are the fewest during that span.</p>
<p id="0JFhSg">In the first three games in American League parks this season — in Cleveland — the Dodgers started Chase Utley once and <span>Justin Turner</span> twice at DH, and <span>Kiké Hernandez</span> saw some time there as well. They were a combined 2-for-13 with a double and a hit by pitch.</p>
<p id="Xe3ebt">Turner is back in the lineup on Wednesday after getting a rest day on Tuesday.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2017/6/28/15888442/corey-seager-out-yasiel-puig-in-dodgers-angels-lineupsEric Stephen2017-06-28T13:00:02-07:002017-06-28T13:00:02-07:00Freeway Series shifts to Anaheim
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<img alt="Los Angeles Dodgers v Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/xNWnATK7vXJslzGYZT8RQOoAwpY=/0x131:3000x2131/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/55489073/489185024.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Harry How/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p id="SDpLQc">The Freeway Series shifts to Angel Stadium in Anaheim for two games, which gives the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> the opportunity to improve their interleague road record.</p>
<p id="G9JckP">The Dodgers are just 20-35 (.364) against the <a href="https://www.halosheaven.com/">Angels</a> in Anaheim, compared to 30-27 (.526) at Dodger Stadium. That includes losing three straight games in Anaheim, dating back to 2015.</p>
<p id="DKSdkr">Since interleague play began in 1997, the Dodgers are just 69-104 (.399) in American League parks, though they have improved in recent years. Since the start of 2014, the Dodgers are 16-17 (.485) in AL parks, including winning two out of three earlier this season in Cleveland.</p>
<p id="DZhjpY">The Dodgers are smack dab in the middle of an interleague-heavy portion of their schedule, with 10 of their next 23 games against American League teams.</p>
<p id="wV7blA">These two games against the Angels will bring the Dodgers to 81 games, the exact halfway point of the season.</p>
<p id="GTbUIa">The only two LA Dodgers teams with more wins in their first 81 games than this year’s team (52-27) are 1974 (55-26) and 1977 (54-27).</p>
<p id="YNj2iZ">The most home runs by a Dodger in the first 81 team games of the season is 28, by Gil Hodges (1951) and Duke Snider (1955). The only other two with more home runs in the first 81 than <span>Cody Bellinger</span>‘s 24 are <span>Gary Sheffield</span> (27 in 2000) and <span>Shawn Green</span> (25 in 2002).</p>
<p id="ORPGeE">Again, Bellinger spent the first 20 games this season in Triple-A.</p>
<p id="IFHZYl">Bellinger’s 56 RBI are the most by a Dodger through the first 81 games since <span>Matt Kemp</span> (63) in 2011. Bellinger’s 56 RBI in his first 59 career games are the most in MLB since Jim Greengrass drove in 57 in his first 59 games for the <a href="https://www.redreporter.com/">Reds</a> in 1952-53.</p>
<p id="6LVpeP">Hyun-jin Ryu gets the start for the Dodgers on Wednesday, his second career start in Anaheim. In 2014, Ryu pitched seven scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and a walk while striking out four.</p>
<p id="r6R2EQ"><span>Alex Meyer</span> starts for the Angels. The right-hander has a 2.03 ERA in five home starts this season, with 28 strikeouts and 14 walks in 26⅔ innings.</p>
<h3 id="y8601X">Seager watch</h3>
<p id="S73c1b">Dodgers shortstop <span>Corey Seager</span> has missed the last four games while dealing with his right hamstring strain. The club has thus far avoided placing Seager on the disabled list, with the hopes that he would be ready within a day or two.</p>
<p id="VFGVnE">It sounds like Seager’s return could be in Anaheim.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Corey Seager is hopeful to play in at least one of the final <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FreewaySeries?src=hash">#FreewaySeries</a> games. He would start at SS not DH so he could keep hammy warm.</p>
— David Vassegh (@THEREAL_DV) <a href="https://twitter.com/THEREAL_DV/status/880116813828308992">June 28, 2017</a>
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<h3 id="pNXTpH">Game info</h3>
<p id="LqDZ3F">Time: 7:07 p.m. PT</p>
<p id="NYN4Dn">TV: SportsNet LA, Fox Sports West, MLB Network</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2017/6/28/15887488/dodgers-angels-freeway-series-anaheim-previewEric Stephen2017-06-26T10:00:01-07:002017-06-26T10:00:01-07:00Dodgers-Angels probable pitchers
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<img alt="MLB: Colorado Rockies at Los Angeles Dodgers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/6l79rw2H4U2P6AnT7DiKTjDKRwY=/0x0:3263x2175/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/55442557/usa_today_10128370.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Kenta Maeda will make another spot start for the Dodgers on Tuesday. | Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p id="UYmU7S">The <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> will battle their second interleague opponent of the season, with a four-game, home-and-home Freeway Series against the <a href="https://www.halosheaven.com/">Angels</a> beginning Monday night at Dodger Stadium. Here is a look at the scheduled pitchers for the four games.</p>
<h3 id="OruLOY">Monday, 7:10 p.m. PT (SportsNet LA, Fox Sports West)</h3>
<p id="T9vmvs"><em>at Dodger Stadium</em></p>
<p id="0o7PBM"><span>Rich Hill</span> still has yet to see the sixth inning in his nine starts in 2017, but his last start was his best of the year, striking out eight while allowing just one run in five innings against the <a href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/">Mets</a>. </p>
<p id="xTEzhp"><span>Ricky Nolasco</span> leads the American League in home runs allowed (23; tied with <span>Bronson Arroyo</span> for the major league lead) and losses (nine), while sporting a 5.23 ERA. Among <a href="http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=sta&lg=all&qual=y&type=8&season=2017&month=0&season1=2017&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&sort=17,d">78 qualified major league starting pitchers, Nolasco’s 5.96 FIP ranks dead last</a>.</p>
<h3 id="3YmHat">Tuesday, 7:10 p.m. (SportsNet LA, Fox Sports West)</h3>
<p id="9MWPTs"><em>at Dodger Stadium</em></p>
<p id="HySoyg"><span>Kenta Maeda</span> will slot back in for another spot start, giving the rest of the rotation some rest. Maeda pitched one inning in relief on Friday night against Colorado, five days after pitching five innings in a spot start in Cincinnati.</p>
<p id="bMRBI7"><span>Jesse Chavez</span> pitched exclusively in relief for the Dodgers in 2016 after they acquired him at the Aug. 1 trade deadline. This year, he has filled in for the Angels with 15 starts in their rotation. The right-hander has a 5.15 ERA with 19 home runs allowed, including at least one home run given up in each of his last 12 starts.</p>
<h3 id="Ta38aQ">Wednesday, 7:07 p.m. (SportsNet LA, Fox Sports West, MLB Network)</h3>
<p id="IHOzB0"><em>at Angel Stadium</em></p>
<p id="obrYWX">Hyun-jin Ryu has allowed only three of his 14 home runs this season on the road, but his ERA away from home is 4.45 compared to 4.17 at Dodger Stadium.</p>
<p id="QP2cUm">The Angels haven’t announced their rotation beyond Tuesday, but if they remain in order <span>Alex Meyer</span> will get the call here. Among the 160 major league pitchers with 40 innings pitched in 2017, Meyer ranks 28th in strikeout rate (26.4%), but is <a href="http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=pit&lg=all&qual=40&type=1&season=2017&month=0&season1=2017&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&sort=8,d">dead last in walk rate (14.6%)</a>. Hill is next to last at 14.5%.</p>
<h3 id="n5i6r8">Thursday, 7:07 p.m. (SportsNet LA, Fox Sports West, MLB Network)</h3>
<p id="MN6EoD"><em>at Angel Stadium</em></p>
<p id="dYctYh">The Dodgers have won each of <span>Alex Wood</span>‘s last eight starts. He is 7-0 with a 1.69 ERA during that span. The club’s last loss in a start by Wood was Apr. 26, when he pitched six scoreless innings in a no-decision. </p>
<p id="gIVgtg"><span>JC Ramirez</span> allowed 18 runs in 19 innings in his first four June starts, before earning the win on Saturday in Boston, allowing one run in six innings against the <a href="https://www.overthemonster.com/">Red Sox</a>, with five strikeouts and no walks. This will be the second straight Ramirez start called by Joe Davis.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2017/6/26/15869326/dodgers-angels-freeway-series-starting-pitchersEric Stephen2017-06-26T09:59:02-07:002017-06-26T09:59:02-07:00Dodgers-Angels Freeway Series snapshot
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<img alt="Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim v Los Angeles Dodgers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/YN7E52ep3E5Db-9iEReXXuEl_G8=/0x0:3000x2000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/55448089/532018210.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Harry How/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p id="2IxUlj">The <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> and <a href="https://www.halosheaven.com/">Angels</a> get together for their annual Freeway Series, with the two teams playing two games each this week at their home park, beginning at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. Here is an overview of the two teams heading into the four-game interleague series.</p>
<p id="hWdnR0">Teams: Dodgers (51-26) vs. Angels (40-39)</p>
<div class="c-float-right"><div id="n54QxH"><div data-anthem-component="table:509505"></div></div></div>
<p id="UnqoJM">Split records: Dodgers 32-10 at home, Angels 19-23 on road<br> <em>for Wed./Thu.</em>: Dodgers 19-16 on road, Angels 21-16 at home </p>
<p id="5HSNAt">Run differential: Dodgers +138 (1st in MLB), Angels +3 (13th in MLB)</p>
<p id="sJapKI">Runs scored: Dodgers 5.27 per game (4th), Angels 4.37 (22nd)</p>
<p id="AbDwxH">OPS+: Dodgers 107 (5th), Angels 92 (22nd)</p>
<p id="TiHBXi">wRC+ (non-pitchers): Dodgers 117 (3rd), Angels 93 (23rd)</p>
<p id="af8OfR">Runs allowed: Dodgers 3.48 (1st), Angels 4.33 (7th)</p>
<p id="BKqXf1">ERA+: Dodgers 127 (2nd), Angels 102 (15th)</p>
<p id="emNSnK">Last 10 games: Dodgers 10-0, Angels 5-5</p>
<p id="RTHrnk">2017 interleague record: Dodgers 2-1, Angels 4-5</p>
<p id="xXqiza">2016 head-to-head: 3-1 Angels (1-1 in LA)</p>
<p id="kil4tY">Angels SB Nation site: <a href="https://www.halosheaven.com">Halos Heaven</a></p>
<h3 id="xdThOZ">Pitching matchups</h3>
<p id="mvW52R"><a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2017/6/26/15869326/dodgers-angels-freeway-series-starting-pitchers"><em>More details</em></a></p>
<p id="YDdhZk">Monday: <span>Rich Hill</span> vs. <span>Ricky Nolasco</span><br>Tuesday: <span>Kenta Maeda</span> vs. <span>Jesse Chavez</span><br>Wednesday: Hyun-jin Ryu vs. <span>Alex Meyer</span><br>Thursday: <span>Alex Wood</span> vs. <span>JC Ramirez</span></p>
<h3 id="szqO30"><strong>Series schedule</strong></h3>
<p id="UYVBCa"><em>at Dodger Stadium</em><br>Monday: 7:10 p.m. PT (SportsNet LA, Fox Sports West)<br>Tuesday, 7:10 p.m. (SportsNet LA, Fox Sports West)</p>
<p id="TLQmDM"><em>at Angel Stadium</em><br>Wednesday, 7:07 p.m. (SportsNet LA, Fox Sports West, MLB Network)<br>Thursday, 7:07 p.m. (SportsNet LA, Fox Sports West, MLB Network)</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2017/6/26/15872340/dodgers-angels-freeway-series-statistics-scheduleEric Stephen