2025-08-13 Dodgers at Angels Matchup Preview

Starting Pitcher Matchup: Ohtani vs. Hendricks

Shohei Ohtani takes the mound for the Los Angeles Dodgers, bringing his dynamic repertoire to the rivalry matchup. Ohtani's ability to command a variety of pitches, combined with his velocity and movement, presents a formidable challenge for opposing hitters. He has shown a keen ability to locate his fastball effectively and generate swings and misses with his off-speed offerings. He will be looking to shut down the Angels hitters early and provide a strong start for the Dodgers. Facing Ohtani is Kyle Hendricks of the Los Angeles Angels, known for his control and ability to induce soft contact. Hendricks relies on deception and pinpoint accuracy to keep hitters off balance, and his experience will be crucial in navigating a tough Dodgers lineup. Hendricks will need to exploit any weaknesses and avoid giving up too many quality pitches in the strike zone to prevent the Dodgers from scoring early.

Dodgers Offensive Profile

The Los Angeles Dodgers enter this game with a potent offensive lineup, demonstrating their ability to get on base with a team on-base percentage of 33.7%, which could test Hendricks’s control and force him to work deep into counts. The Dodgers hitters have showcased solid performance against a variety of pitches, indicating their ability to make adjustments and capitalize on mistakes. Given the pitching style of Hendricks, the Dodgers’ hitters will likely focus on patience at the plate, working counts, and waiting for hittable pitches in advantageous situations. Their success may hinge on their ability to avoid chasing pitches out of the zone and capitalizing on any mistakes from Hendricks. Their ability to hit for power is demonstrated by their team slugging percentage of 45.4%.

Angels Offensive Profile

The Los Angeles Angels' offense will need to be strategic against Ohtani, as their team on-base percentage sits at 30.7%. To succeed, the Angels' hitters must demonstrate strong plate discipline and capitalize on any opportunities to drive the ball into the gaps. Their slugging percentage is 38.7%, highlighting the ability to get runners home if on-base, but the concern is the ability to get on base to begin with. The Angels hitters must avoid getting into predictable patterns at the plate and keep Ohtani guessing to avoid falling behind early.

Key Statistical Considerations

The Dodgers’ offense demonstrates an overall greater output in key metrics, but this does not guarantee victory. The Angels are able to get runners on, just not at the same frequency. Similarly, the team slugging percentage is lower as well. These can be areas that the Angels can improve on throughout the game, as the key is to be patient and consistent.

Game Prediction

Given the analysis, the Dodgers appear to have a slight edge in this matchup due to their stronger hitting metrics. However, baseball is unpredictable, and the Angels have the potential to surprise if their hitters can find ways to get on base and disrupt Ohtani's rhythm. Ultimately, the team that executes better in key situations and minimizes mistakes will likely emerge victorious. The pitching matchup favors the Dodgers, while the Angels' offense will need to find ways to manufacture runs against a tough opponent.

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