Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Los Angeles Angels (7/16/22) Starting Lineup, Odds, Prediction
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The Dodgers meet their crosstown rival Angels for the second game of a three-game set on Saturday night. These two are heading in totally different directions heading into the all-star break, as the Angels are 12-34 over their last 46 games while the Dodgers hold the NL’s best record and are 13-2 over their last 15 games. Julio Urias will get the start for Dave Roberts’ squad, as the Angels hand the ball to Jose Suarez.
Let’s take a look at starting lineups, betting odds, and predictions for Saturday’s matchup.
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Los Angeles Angels Odds
Dodgers Moneyline:
Angels Moneyline:
Over/Under Total:
The Dodgers are -180 favorites on the money line, with the over/under set at 8.5. The Dodgers entered Friday night’s game at -196 and have an even more favorable pitching matchup on Saturday, so there’s not much reason to like the Angels in this one. I couldn’t trust the Angels against the Orioles last week, and I certainly can’t trust them against the Dodgers this week. Since June 3, the Angels are 6-0 when Shohei Ohtani pitches and 6-25 when he doesn’t. Ohtani won’t start again until after the break and the Angels scored 1 total run in two games against the Dodgers last month. Not great.
Los Angeles Dodgers Starting Lineup
RF M. Betts R
SS T. Turner R
1B F. Freeman L
C W. Smith R
DH J. Turner R
CF C. Bellinger L
3B M. Muncy L
LF J. Lamb L
2B G. Lux L
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Jose Suarez
Jose Suarez has bounced between the Angels’ rotation and bullpen over the past two seasons, but he’s primarily been an ineffective starter in 2022. Suarez has a 4.79 ERA over 41.1 innings this season, with a 4.56 FIP, 1.524 WHIP, and an elevated walk rate of 4.1 per nine. He pitched well once he was inserted back into the Angels’ rotation last season, but Suarez has lasted 5+ innings only twice this season. This will be a collaborative effort from the Angels’ pitching staff, which is never a good sign.
The Dodgers aren’t 100% healthy with Chris Taylor on the IL, but they’ve been hitting well with Mookie Betts back in the lineup. Few hitters are as hot as Freddie Freeman, who is 13 for his last 16 and has raised his AVG from .296 to .320 in just four games. Suarez gives up hits, and the Dodgers have a few great contact bats. Aside from Freeman and Trea Turner, Justin Turner is batting .422 over his last 13 games. Gavin Lux and Will Smith also both have an OPS north of 1.000 over the last week as Lux starts to look like the player the Dodgers hoped he’d be. LA’s OPS against lefties is notably down about 50 points compared to right handers, which will be something to keep an eye on, but there are so many threats for the Dodgers that I wouldn’t expect any trouble scoring runs.
Los Angeles Angels Starting Lineup
RF T. Ward R
CF M. Trout R
DH S. Ohtani L
3B D. MacKinnon R
1B J. Walsh L
2B L. Rengifo S
C M. Stassi R
LF B. Marsh L
SS A. Velazquez S
Los Angeles Angels vs. Julio Urias
Julio Urias has a 3.01 ERA over 17 starts (89.2 IP) this season, with a 4.09 FIP, 1.048 WHIP, and an 86:22 K:BB ratio. His FIP indicates his raw numbers are better than he’s pitched, and home runs have been a bit of a problem for the former top prospect. Urias has surrendered a homer in 3.9% of plate appearances, almost double the 2.1% career mark he had entering this season. He’s coming off one of his worst starts of the season – the Cubs tagged him for 5 earned runs in just 2 innings last week in a possible regression to the mean.
Urias has routinely given the Dodgers six solid innings this season, lasting exactly six in 10 of his 17 starts. He should be able to provide similar length against an Angels team that simply hasn’t hit since mid-May. The Angels’ lineup strikes out more than any team, at 9.8 Ks per game. This was on full display Wednesday, when even in a blowout win the Angels struck out 10 times in less than 4 innings against Cristian Javier. Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout always have big hit potential and should at least get on base via walk, but Urias’ nasty stuff and the Angels’ willingness to swing at anything doesn’t bode well for Phil Nevin’s group.
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Los Angeles Angels Prediction
My pick: Dodgers -1.5 (-112)
The Dodgers’ dominance lately outlines how deep and talented their roster is. No Walker Buehler, no Chris Taylor, no production from Max Muncy, and yet this still looks like the best team in baseball. I just can’t see the Angels keeping it too close in this one, especially given the Dodgers’ ability to string together hits against a contact-prone pitching staff. I also like Julio Urias to hit the over on strikeouts whenever that line is set. Until the Angels stop striking out at such a high rate, this is the smart play for most starters they face.