If breaking the 2021 regular season into three separate sections, the Los Angeles Dodgers are in the midst of another impressive stretch at 10-1 in their last 11 games. They enter play Sunday on a six-game winning streak and with a chance to sweep the San Francisco Giants.
The Giants went into the weekend set sitting atop the National League West standings, but they — and the Dodgers — are now one game back of the first-place San Diego Padres. A win Sunday would keep the Dodgers undefeated on their current road trip, which is a significant improvement from their last time being away from Dodger Stadium.
“One thing is we’re starting off a lot better than we did the last road trip,” manager Dave Roberts said. “I think there’s just a good vibe. Guys are doing what they can to help us win a baseball game.
“The starting pitching in particular has been really good, the guys in the ‘pen have been really great, and the timely hitting.”
After Trevor Bauer and Walker Buehler combined to hold the Giants to two runs (one earned) over 13.1 innings in the first two games. Now Julio Urias has an opportunity to add to the strong showing of starting pitching.
Urias is 6-1 with a 3.04 ERA this season, and has enjoyed career success against the Giants. In 15 games (nine starts) when facing the Dodgers’ storied rival, he holds a 2.12 ERA and held opponents to a .213 batting average.
Urias has pitched into the sixth inning in seven of nine outings this year. “I’m not surprised it’s happening,” Roberts said. “Julio, he’s a veteran big league pitcher now. There’s no more project, no more prospect.”
The Giants counter with Anthony DeSclafani, who is coming off seven innings and just one run allowed to the Cincinnati Reds. The right-hander 4-1 with a 2.03 ERA in nine starts this season.
DeSclafani faces a Dodgers lineup that initially saw the return of Mookie Betts after a night off for rest. However, Betts was then scratched due to left shoulder soreness. He’s previously dealt with back stiffness and bruising from being hit by a pitch on the inside of his right forearm.
Prior to the game the Dodgers placed Jimmy Nelson on the 10-day injured list due to right forearm inflammation and recalled Phil Bickford, who was drafted by the Giants.
Dodgers lineup
SS: Gavin Lux
3B: Justin Turner
2B: Max Muncy
C: Will Smith
1B: Matt Beaty
CF: Chris Taylor
LF: Yoshi Tsutsugo
RF: DJ Peters
P: Julio Urias
Giants lineup
CF: Austin Slater
2B: Donovan Solano
RF: Mike Yastrzemski
1B: Darin Ruf
SS: Brandon Crawford
3B: Mauricio Dubon
C: Curt Casali
LF: Mike Tauchman
P: Anthony DeSclafani
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