The Los Angeles Angels are heading home after another tough road trip, hoping to turn things around in a big way. They'll face their crosstown rivals, the Los Angeles Dodgers, in a three-game series starting Friday night—a matchup that's brought some rare joy to Angels fans in recent years.

Last season, the Angels swept the Dodgers in six games, going undefeated against the powerhouse squad. Over the last two seasons, they've posted an impressive 8-2 record against their neighbors. That success has been a bright spot amid otherwise challenging campaigns, and they'll look to replicate that magic at home.

But the Angels (16-28, 5th in AL West) are struggling mightily in May. They've managed just three wins over the last two weeks and were freshly swept by the Guardians earlier this week. The offense has gone cold after a promising start, scoring two runs or fewer in five of their last six games.

There are some encouraging signs, though. Shortstop Zach Neto rediscovered his power stroke on Wednesday, launching his seventh home run of the season. Vaughn Grissom also continues to impress, hitting his second homer of the year on Tuesday.

On the mound, the Angels will send right-handers Jack Kochanowicz and José Soriano on Friday and Saturday, with Sunday's starter still to be announced. Soriano has been one of the team's most reliable arms, boasting a stellar 1.66 ERA over 54.1 innings this season.

The Angels have been hit hard by injuries behind the plate, with catchers Logan O'Hoppe and Travis D'Arnaud both sidelined. However, there's good news: O'Hoppe is expected back today. To add depth, the team signed veteran catcher Austin Wynns to a minor-league deal Friday morning.

As the Angels look to right the ship, this series against the Dodgers offers a chance to build momentum—and remind everyone why the Freeway Series still matters.