Angels, Dodgers Will Finally Give Each Other a Diamond Appraisal

It never approached the rivalry of USC-UCLA, the intensity of Clipper-Laker games, or even the marketing between Disneyland and Magic Mountain, for that matter.

The annual Freeway Series between the Dodgers and Angels was worth little more than bragging rights that lasted a few weeks, if that long.

This year’s Freeway Series, beginning tonight at 7 at Dodger Stadium, is a different matter.

This time, the two teams will actually be eyeing one another, knowing that for the first time they will be playing later this summer in games that actually count.

The Dodgers and Angels are scheduled to meet June 17-18 at Dodger Stadium in baseball’s introduction to interleague play, and again July 2-3 at Anaheim Stadium.

“You’ll be paying closer attention,” Dodger Manager Bill Russell said, “because the pitchers you’re facing this series, you could be seeing again in a few months.”

Ramon Martinez, the Dodgers’ opening-day starter on Tuesday against the Philadelphia Phillies, will start tonight against the Angels’ Mark Langston. Martinez will be followed out of the bullpen by Hideo Nomo, scheduled to start Wednesday.

The series continues Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m. at newly renovated Anaheim Stadium.

The Angels, who have won seven of the last nine games between the teams, lead the series, 42-36-1.

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Freeway Series Facts

Opponents--Angels and Dodgers, three games.

Site--Dodger Stadium tonight; Anaheim Stadium Saturday and Sunday.

Radio--KTZN (710), KABC (790), KWKW (1330).

Series record--Angels lead, 42-36-1.

Pitching matchups--The Dodgers’ Ramon Martinez vs. the Angels’ Mark Langston tonight at 7; Ismael Valdes vs. Jason Dickson Saturday at 7 (Channel 9); Chan Ho Park vs. Allen Watson Sunday at 1.