Preview: Mat Latos Makes Debut As Dodgers Look To Sweep Angels

The Los Angeles Dodgers took the first two of the three-game Freeway Series at Dodger Stadium against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim thanks in large part to their aces, Zack Greinke and Clayton Kershaw. The two teams are back at it again Sunday afternoon in the series finale, with recently acquired Mat Latos making his Dodgers debut.

Latos is 4-7 with a 4.48 ERA, 3.35 FIP and 1.25 WHIP in 16 starts with the Miami Marlins this season before being traded to Los Angeles. A rough first two months of the season led to a stint on the disabled list for the right-hander. He’s been much improved since being reinstated, going 3-3 over his last seven starts (45.2 innings) with a 2.96 ERA and 43 to nine strikeout to walk ratio.

Over his career Latos has faced the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim just once — in 2013 when he was with the Cincinnati Reds. He allowed three runs on seven hits in 6.2 innings, but didn’t earn a decision. Despite having spent the entirety of his seven-year career in the National League, Latos only has six career starts at Dodger Stadium. He’s 1-5 with a 3.34 ERA and 1.31 WHIP, last starting there in 2013.

The Angels turn to their bullpen Sunday as lefty C.J. Wilson, who was scheduled to start, was put on the disabled list with an elbow injury that’s put his season in jeopardy. Starting in his place is 27-year-old Cory Rasmus.

The right-hander makes his first start and second appearance of the season for the Angels after being recalled from Triple-A on Thursday. In 78.2 career innings he sports a 3.32 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 4.04 FIP. He threw a perfect inning in Friday’s game against the Dodgers, striking out the side on 12 pitches.

Rasmus will likely only pitch a few innings, and will be followed by a bullpen that has a 3.56 ERA on the season, which ranks 17th in baseball. Joc Pederson returns to the Dodgers lineup after sitting out the first two games of the series.

Pederson is currently mired in a slump, going 0-for-13 with seven strikeouts in his last three games. He bats eighth for the first time since April 27. Carl Crawford and Alberto Callaspo also get starts in a lineup heavy on left-handed batters.

Dodgers Lineup

SS: Jimmy Rollins

2B: Howie Kendrick

1B: Adrian Gonzalez

RF: Andre Ethier

C: Yasmani Grandal

LF: Carl Crawford

3B: Alberto Callaspo

CF: Joc Pederson

P: Mat Latos

Angels Lineup

2B: Johnny Giavotella

RF: Kole Calhoun

CF: Mike Trout

1B: Albert Pujols

LF: David Murphy

SS: Eric Aybar

3B: Conor Gillaspie

C: Chris Iannetta

P: Cory Rasmus

Clayton Kershaw On Return To Mound, Facing Mike Trout