MLB Game Preview: Washington Nationals (34-49) vs. Los Angeles Angels (41-41)

First pitch is set for 4:07 p.m. ET, with coverage on MASN, Bally Sports West, and MLB.tv.

Matchup	Washington Nationals vs Los Angeles Angels
Date & Time	Sunday, June 29 – 4:07 p.m. ET
Venue	Angel Stadium, Anaheim, CA
Broadcast	MASN, Bally Sports West, MLB.tv
Betting Odds	LAA -135 ML	WSH +115 ML	O/U: 9.0 runs

This is the series finale of a three-game interleague set. The Nationals took the opener, while the Angels bounced back in Game 2. Sunday’s rubber match will determine the series winner.

Team Form & Trends

Washington Nationals (34–48, 5th in NL East)

• Recent Form: 4–6 in last 10 games
• Road Record: 18–24
• Offensive Leaders:
  • James Wood: 22 HR, 63 RBI – ranks 6th in MLB in home runs
  • CJ Abrams: .283 AVG, 13 HR, 20 SB – team leader in batting average
  • Luis García Jr.: .267 AVG, 19 doubles, 38 RBI
• Team Trends:

• 16–35 when allowing a home run
• 5.52 team ERA over last 10 games

Los Angeles Angels (40–41, 3rd in AL West)

• Recent Form: 6–4 in last 10 games
• Home Record: 19–19
• Offensive Leaders:
  • Taylor Ward: 20 HR, 55 RBI – 11th in MLB in home runs
  • Jo Adell: 5 HR in last 10 games – riding an 8-game hit streak
  • Zach Neto: .278 AVG – team leader in batting average
• Team Trends:

• 9th in MLB in slugging percentage (.407)
• 2.76 bullpen ERA over last 2 weeks – among best in AL

Probable Starting Pitchers

Washington Nationals: Mike Soroka (RHP)

• Record: 3–5 ERA: 5.06 WHIP: 1.09 59 K
• Last Start: 5.1 IP, 3 ER, 10 K vs Dodgers
• Scouting Report: Ground-ball pitcher with improving strikeout rate; held Angels scoreless in 2.1 IP last season

Los Angeles Angels: Kyle Hendricks (RHP)

• Record: 5–6 ERA: 4.83 WHIP: 1.32 55 K
• Last Start: 5.0 IP, 3 ER vs Astros
• Scouting Report: Veteran finesse pitcher; relies on command and soft contact

Key Matchups to Watch

• James Wood vs Hendricks: Wood’s power (.583 SLG) could challenge Hendricks’ pitch-to-contact style
• Jo Adell vs Soroka: Adell has 4 HR in his last 10 games and thrives against right-handers
• Bullpen Battle: Angels’ relievers have a 2.76 ERA over the last two weeks; Nationals’ bullpen has struggled with a 6.60 ERA in that span

Head-to-Head & Betting Insights

• Season Series: Tied 1–1 entering Sunday
• Nationals are 3–15 in their last 18 games overall
• Angels are 7–3 in their last 10 games and just 1 game out of the AL Wild Card race
• Over is 6–4 in Angels’ last 10 games; Nationals have allowed 5+ runs in 7 of last 10