After splitting the first two games of the series at Oracle Park, the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants now meet for a rubber match that could carry plenty of significance down the stretch of the season.
Sunday’s meeting is the 19th and final of the year between the storied rivals, who each have nine wins against each other. Whoever emerges victorious on Sunday not only will take a one-game lead in the National League West but also secure home-field advantage if a Game 163 is needed to determine a division champion.
The Dodgers enjoyed such benefit in 2018 when they successfully chased down the Colorado Rockies and won what was a sixth consecutive NL West title at the time.
Walker Buehler faces the Giants for a sixth time this year and looks to continue his success. The right-hander is 3-0 with a 0.79 ERA and 0.82 WHIP in the previous five outings. Overall this season he’s 13-2 with an MLB-best 2.05 ERA.
Buehler has developed a reputation for rising up to the moment in big games, but it’s been his performances across the board that have impressed Dodgers pitching coach Mark Prior and Justin Turner.
Buehler has logged at least six innings in 26 of 27 starts.
The Giants again are relying on a bullpen game and look to Dominic Leone to get them off to a strong start as an opener. Jay Jackson failed to make it out of the first inning in his opener role on Saturday.
Leone is 3-3 with one save, a 1.63 ERA and 1.16 WHIP in 42 games this season. The start is Leone’s first of his career.
AJ Pollock was placed on the 10-day injured list with a Grade 2 right hamstring strain that is expected to sideline him multiple weeks. Mitch White was recalled to take Pollock’s place on the active roster.
Dodgers lineup
2B: Trea Turner
1B: Max Muncy
RF: Mookie Betts
3B: Justin Turner
SS: Corey Seager
C: Will Smith
LF: Chris Taylor
CF: Cody Bellinger
P: Walker Buehler
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