The Los Angeles Dodgers lost to the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium for the first time this season, but still saw their magic number to clinch the National League West reduce to eight thanks to help from the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Now the Dodgers get another opportunity to make their own headway toward a ninth division title in the past 10 seasons while also officially eliminating the Giants from possibly repeating as NL West champions. Whether against the Dodgers or another opponent, the next Giants loss would render their postseason hopes to a potential Wild Card spot.
After being held in check by Logan Webb, the Dodgers now face a stable of relief pitchers in a bullpen game for the Giants. John Brebbia, who has not pitched more than two innings in any appearance this season, is the opener.
Brebbia enters 6-1 with a 3.04 ERA across 63 games, and allowed a solo home run when last facing the Dodgers one month ago.
The Dodgers counter with Tyler Anderson, who like Andrew Heaney in the series opener, is starting on an extra day of rest. Anderson is 13-3 with a 2.68 ERA and 1.02 WHIP over 25 games (23 starts) this season.
Anderson is coming off a tough-luck loss to the New York Mets and hasn’t allowed more than two earned runs in seven of his last nine starts.
The Dodgers lineup includes the hot-hitting Mookie Betts in his familiar leadoff spot, followed by Trea Turner and Freddie Freeman. Justin Turner is back after a night of rest and enters play with a 14-game hitting streak.
Dodgers lineup
RF: Mookie Betts
SS: Trea Turner
1B: Freddie Freeman
C: Will Smith
3B: Max Muncy
DH: Justin Turner
LF: Joey Gallo
2B: Chris Taylor
CF: Cody Bellinger
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