This rivalry weekend, the baseball gods, in their infinite wisdom and humorous comedy, crafted a fantastic story. Everyone knew the script—or thought they did. The WC, with a star-studded lineup, was all set to face their cross-town rivals. The Dodgers dominated the NL West, while the Angels battled at the bottom of the AL West. Just like you, everyone thought Oh, it will be an easy win for the Boys in Blue. But surprise, surprise! A sweep from the Halos.
Yes, you read it right, so there is no need to check Google. An exciting three-game series began with a 6-2 opener, and everyone appreciated that the Angels played exceptionally well. Then came the nail-biter game; fans were on edge, and they couldn’t believe their eyes when they saw the final scoreboard. Angels just edged the Dodgers by 11-9. The finale game of the Freeway series and the Dodgers fandom was no longer appreciating the opponents; all they wanted was a win, and the Angels were not in the mood to give that moment. The Anaheim Baseball Kings just sent ripples through the Chavez Ravine and outplayed the Dodgers by a 6-4. Reactions? Dodgerland is in shock because history was made!
The Los Angeles Angels achieved a feat: they swept the Dodgers for the first time since 2010. 15 years, kudos to them.
It’s hard to digest how a team with players like Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman was not able to win a single game. A question that fans are asking while scratching their heads. The moment Fox Sports: MLB posted the results of all three games on X, the fans went crazy. And in the comment sections, they didn’t spare a second to dig at the Dodgers. And who was the target? Their $700m player!
FREEWAY SERIES SWEEP #RivalryWeekend
The Angels sweep the Dodgers in a three-game series for the first time since 2010 pic.twitter.com/LzdCErwDKn
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) May 18, 2025
But where did it all go wrong? And what made the Angels win? In the opener, Angels pitcher Jack Kochanowicz limited the Dodgers’ offense, winning 6-2 despite Shohei Ohtani’s third straight homer. In a high-scoring second game, Logan O’Hoppe scored a career-high five RBIs, including a critical three-run homer, to win 11-9. Travis d’Arnaud’s eighth-inning home run highlighted the Angels’ 6-4 series-clinching win. Yusei Kikuchi exited with an ankle injury after five and two-thirds innings of one-run ball. It was a complete performance!
Over the series, the Dodgers’ bullpen failed them at crucial occasions. Five runs marred Clayton Kershaw’s second-game comeback in four innings, and a hamstring injury to reliever Kirby Yates after a critical home run. In the finale, Anthony Banda let up d’Arnaud’s game-winning home run as the bullpen continued to struggle. Ohtani’s three hits in the past game didn’t help the Dodgers’ pitching.
And talking about Angels, manager Ron Washington was quite happy with the team. He said, “We got some big hits in some big situations. It was one hell of a ballgame.”
The MLB fraternity went crazy, especially the passionate fans. A flood of social media criticism gave voice to the shared disbelief and, for many, unadulterated joy.
Fans react to the Dodgers being humbled by Angels
The first ripple in this joyful rush of resentment focused on the very man who had personified the Dodgers’ great aspirations: Shohei Ohtani. “Ohtani chose the wrong LA team.” When he chose the Angels over the Dodgers in 2023, he became the talk of the town. They won the WC 24′ and Ohtani’s part was loud and clear. But the irony was too delightful to turn a blind eye to when his former team, the Angels, dealt him such a crushing defeat.
Then came the happy shouts, the pure, unadulterated delight of the underdog’s victory. “Swept WHOOOOO,” a short, nearly natural scream, accurately captured the joy. It expressed a feeling of long-awaited compensation for Angels fans, who had suffered years of living in the shadow of their more famous neighbors.
Are you looking for some unexpected crossovers? The comment section is the best place to visit. One especially cutting response, “They can hang a banner for that. The baseball clippers did something outside of April. Wow.” A brilliant combination of sarcasm. It compared the Dodgers to the NBA’s Clippers, implying underperformance in spite of great hopes. The irony of the Dodgers’ defeat to a club thought to be an underdog. Sports are indeed unpredictable.
Talking about the Dodgers and the financial aspect won’t come up? Not possible. A comment read, “Just swept the billion dollar team.” This remark drew attention to the difference between the performance of the Dodgers and their large payroll. Though Ohtani’s contract was among many other notable expenditures, the squad underperformed against a less financially blessed rival.
It was not only the Angels fans who were doing their happy dance. The Giants fans were dancing with them, too. “Thank you Angel’s, from a Giants fan. Let’s gooooo.” Rivalries run deep in baseball, and apart from the Freeway series, another rival of the Dodgers is the Giants. The Dodgers’ defeat was a victory for their old rivals, highlighting the close relationship and intensity of baseball rivalries.
It was more than just a set of baseball games when the Angels beat the Dodgers in the Freeway Series. It was a cultural moment. Moreover, it turned into a powerful metaphor. How unpredictable sports are, and a lesson that even the best-laid plans can fall apart when faced with unexpected strength and a bit of underdog magic. Can we see more of it?
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