BASEBALL FREEWAY SERIES : Dodgers, Angels Had Similar Trips to Get Together

After similar spring training results a continent apart, the Dodgers and Angels will unveil enriched lineups tonight at Dodger Stadium and Saturday and Sunday at Anaheim Stadium in the 24th annual Freeway Series.

The Dodgers were 13-17 in Florida, with high-priced free agent acquisitions in outfielders Darryl Strawberry and Brett Butler and pitcher Kevin Gross. The Angels were 12-13 in Arizona and in Palm Springs with Dave Parker and free agent Gary Gaetti.

Dodger right-hander Ramon Martinez is scheduled to start against Angel right-hander Kirk McCaskill at 7:30 at Dodger Stadium, which has a revamped DiamondVision screen in left field.

The series will shift to Anaheim Stadium for the weekend, with Angel left-hander Mark Langston facing Gross at 7 p.m. Saturday and Jim Abbott, followed by Scott Lewis, opposing Mike Morgan at 1 p.m. Sunday.

The teams are tied at 31-31-1 in games, with the Angels holding a 12-11 series advantage. The Dodgers swept the three-game set last year.

Angel Manager Doug Rader said he is not overly concerned with results this weekend. “All we’re trying to do is strive to get to the opening gate in the best possible shape,” he said.

Still, the three games will help determine several Angel bullpen roles.

The Dodgers, who took Thursday off, have 28 men in uniform, though nearly every spot on the 25-man roster is set. Play this weekend also will help determine their bullpen roles. Dodger relief pitchers finished Florida training with 16 consecutive scoreless innings.

The Angels, who worked out Thursday night in Anaheim to get accustomed to the lights, are hitting .307. Third baseman Gaetti is the only regular batting below .300.

The Angels’ pitching rotation is less certain because of Bert Blyleven’s injury and Chuck Finley’s shaky spring. Blyleven will open the season on the disabled list. Results of tests on his surgically repaired right shoulder aren’t expected until Monday.

Staff writer Helene Elliott contributed to this story.