The Los Angeles Dodgers are scheduled to open a high-stakes three-game Freeway Series against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium in Anaheim on Friday evening, May 15, 2026. The matchup begins at 6:38 p.m. local time as both teams navigate significant injury lists and shifting pitching rotations early in the season.
Justin Wrobleski is expected to take the mound for the Dodgers in the series opener against the Angels’ Jack Kochanowicz, according to reports from SI.com. Wrobleski enters the contest with a 0.985 WHIP through 44.2 innings, while Kochanowicz holds a 3.97 ERA after eight starts this year.
The Dodgers recently adjusted their rotation after Tyler Glasnow was placed on the 15-day injured list due to back spasms. This move forced Blake Snell to move up his schedule, making a premature season debut against the Atlanta Braves last week where he allowed five runs in three innings, as reported by Yahoo Sports.
Los Angeles enters the series trailing the San Diego Padres by 0.5 games in the National League West standings. The team is looking for improved production from left fielder Teoscar Hernandez, who has struggled with a .512 OPS and zero home runs over his last 24 games after a dominant start to the season.
“There’s a strong case to be made for Roki Sasaki in this spot, but the Dodgers would still have one heck of a strong rotation if they removed him from the mix,” wrote Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report regarding the team’s need for Hernandez to find his form.
The Angels, currently 16-28, are dealing with an extensive injured list that includes Mike Trout and Logan O’Hoppe. Despite their record, the Angels swept the Dodgers in six games during the 2025 regular season, though the Dodgers eventually secured the World Series title, according to SI.com.
Following the Friday opener, the series continues Saturday with a projected matchup between Jose Soriano and Blake Snell. The finale on Sunday afternoon will feature Roki Sasaki for the Dodgers against a starter yet to be determined by the Angels.