The Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angeles Angels will close out the 2025 Freeway Series on Sunday, May 18, at Dodger Stadium, as the Dodgers look to secure a series win and continue asserting dominance over their Southern California rivals while the Angels aim to avoid a sweep and halt their four-game losing streak. The Dodgers come into the finale with a 29–17 record and first place in the NL West, riding high behind one of the most balanced and explosive rosters in baseball. They’ve won 4 of their last 5 and have leaned heavily on elite starting pitching, consistent defense, and a potent lineup led by perennial MVP candidates Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts. On the mound, the Dodgers will start right-hander Tony Gonsolin, who brings a 2–0 record and a 2.81 ERA into the game, offering solid control, a deep pitch mix, and a knack for keeping hitters off balance with soft contact and low walk rates. The Angels counter with veteran lefty Yusei Kikuchi, who enters the matchup with an 0–4 record and a respectable 3.72 ERA despite lacking run support in his starts and often being let down by a shaky bullpen and defense. Offensively, the Angels continue to rely on Mike Trout to carry the weight, but his power hasn’t been enough to offset the club’s collective inconsistency, especially from the bottom half of the lineup. Taylor Ward has provided some additional pop, but the offense has failed to produce runs when needed most, and timely hitting has been a glaring weakness throughout the team’s 2025 campaign. Defensively, the Angels have had their fair share of miscues, allowing unearned runs and failing to support their starters in close games—something the Dodgers have been particularly adept at capitalizing on.

The Dodgers’ lineup, meanwhile, has few holes, with Will Smith and Gavin Lux complementing Freeman and Betts by consistently getting on base and moving runners. The bullpen, led by closer Evan Phillips and middle relievers like Brusdar Graterol, has been a lockdown unit, converting save opportunities and maintaining leads with poise. Manager Dave Roberts has expertly managed workloads and matchups, while his counterpart Ron Washington continues to search for a formula that helps the Angels regain momentum in a season already trending toward disappointment. The Dodgers’ defense remains a clear advantage in this series, with Betts and Lux combining for highlight-reel plays and seamless double-play turns that have helped extinguish Angels rallies. For the Angels to have a shot at salvaging the finale, they’ll need Kikuchi to pitch deep into the game, avoid giving up free passes, and hope that the offense can strike early before Gonsolin finds a groove. The Dodgers, by contrast, will look to pressure Kikuchi from the jump, get an early lead, and allow their bullpen to take control in the late innings. With city pride, series bragging rights, and momentum all on the line, Sunday’s matchup presents a clear opportunity for the Dodgers to reaffirm their status as L.A.’s premier franchise, while the Angels fight to show signs of life and keep their season from slipping further out of reach.