There’s nothing quite like the buzz of baseball in Los Angeles when the Freeway Series rolls around, and this spring’s edition is living up to its reputation. The annual rivalry between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Los Angeles Angels has once again split the city’s loyalties, with fans flocking to both Angel Stadium and Dodger Stadium to witness the preseason drama unfold. As Opening Day draws near, the energy in the air is unmistakable—this is more than just a warm-up; it’s a battle for bragging rights in the City of Angels.
The 2026 Freeway Series kicked off on Sunday, March 22, at Angel Stadium in Anaheim. The Dodgers wasted no time making their presence felt, with Teoscar Hernández launching a home run to ignite the scoring. That blast set the tone for a wild third inning in which the Dodgers erupted for 10 runs, ultimately cruising to a commanding 13-5 victory over the Angels. Hernández was front and center, notching a solo homer and later driving in two more with a sharp RBI single—both in the same inning, no less! According to the game recap, “Teoscar Hernández got the party started with a solo homer—the first of his two at-bats in the inning. He’d later drive in two runs on an RBI single.”
But Hernández wasn’t the only Dodger making noise. Shohei Ohtani, facing his former team, made his mark in that explosive third inning as well. He drew a bases-loaded walk to bring in a run, then capped the rally with a bases-clearing double, driving in three. The Dodgers’ offense looked every bit as potent as their back-to-back World Series championships would suggest. On the mound, Tyler Glasnow was dominant, striking out 11 batters over five innings and keeping the Angels’ hitters guessing all afternoon. As one report put it, “Tyler Glasnow was dominant, striking out 11 over five innings as Los Angeles controlled the game from start to finish.”
The lopsided result gave the Dodgers a shot of confidence heading into the next two games of the series, which shifted to Dodger Stadium for Monday and Tuesday night matchups. The Freeway Series may not count toward the regular season standings, but it’s clear both clubs treat these meetings as more than mere exhibitions. The rivalry, which dates back to 1962, remains fierce—especially with the Angels holding a historical edge, 78-59, with five ties. Yet, in recent years, the Dodgers have started to close the gap, having taken two of three games in the 2024 edition and now looking to build momentum ahead of Opening Day.
Monday night’s contest at Chavez Ravine brought new faces to the forefront, particularly on the mound. The Angels handed the ball to left-hander Reid Detmers, who came off a solid four-inning start against the Cleveland Guardians, allowing two runs on two hits and striking out five. Comparatively, Detmers had struggled in his previous two outings, giving up five runs over just 4.2 innings combined. For the Dodgers, all eyes were on Roki Sasaki, the Japanese right-hander who signed a minor league deal with Los Angeles in January 2025 and received a $6.5 million signing bonus. Sasaki, still just 24 years old, had spent the previous four seasons in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball League before making the leap to MLB.
Sasaki’s spring, however, has been anything but smooth. Monday night’s outing against the Angels highlighted his ongoing struggles with command. He issued six walks and allowed five runs in just over two innings, throwing 66 pitches—only 32 of which were strikes. The game started off rocky, with Sasaki hitting Zach Neto with a fastball and then walking three consecutive batters before being pulled in the first inning. He returned for the second, only to hit Neto again and walk Mike Trout before escaping the jam. In the third, he managed to strike out Jo Adell and Josh Lowe but was replaced in the fourth after walking Adam Frazier, who later came around to score. Sasaki’s spring ERA ballooned to 15.58 over four exhibition starts, with 15 walks in just 8 2/3 innings. As AP reported, “Sasaki issued six walks while allowing five runs in two-plus innings against the Los Angeles Angels at Dodger Stadium.”
Despite his spring woes, Sasaki’s talent is undeniable. He was sidelined much of last year with a right shoulder impingement but returned in September to play a crucial role in the Dodgers’ bullpen during their postseason run. He gave up just one earned run over 10 2/3 innings and earned three saves, helping the Dodgers secure their second straight World Series title. The hope in Los Angeles is that Sasaki can recapture that late-season form when the games start to count.
As for the rest of the Dodgers’ rotation, Yoshinobu Yamamoto is set to start the regular season opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium on Thursday, March 26. The Angels, meanwhile, will open their campaign on the road in Houston, with their home opener slated for April 3 against the Seattle Mariners.
The Freeway Series isn’t just about the action on the field—it’s a celebration of L.A. baseball culture. Fans from both sides pack Dodger Stadium for these night games, with tickets easier and more affordable to snag than during the regular season. The city’s baseball heartbeat splits down the 5 freeway, and for a few nights, the rivalry takes center stage. Local broadcasts on FanDuel Sports Network West and Spectrum SportsNet LA, along with streaming options on MLB.TV and various live TV platforms, ensure that fans across the region (and beyond) don’t miss a pitch.
This year’s spring series features two games at Dodger Stadium (March 23 and 24) before the rivalry shifts to Anaheim in May for three more clashes. These preseason games may not count in the standings, but try telling that to the fans decked out in blue or red, trading playful barbs and soaking up the electric Chavez Ravine atmosphere. As one local outlet put it, “It’s not just a baseball series. It’s a city rivalry, a preseason preview, and a reminder that balmy summer nights at the ballpark are almost back.”
With the regular season just days away, both teams are using the Freeway Series to fine-tune their lineups and rotations. The Dodgers boast the best record in the Cactus League at 19-8, while the Angels hold the fourth-best mark at 16-14. For players like Hernández, Ohtani, and even the embattled Sasaki, these games offer a final dress rehearsal before the real quest for October glory begins.
As the Dodgers and Angels wrap up their Dodger Stadium set and prepare for the season ahead, one thing’s certain: the city’s baseball rivalry is alive and well, and the countdown to Opening Day has never felt more electric.