The Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Francisco Giants kick off their season series with a two-game set at Dodger Stadium that should undoubtedly set the tone for the rest of the year.
Tuesday’s meeting is the first of 19 this season for one of baseball’s most storied rivalries. The Dodgers currently lead the Giants by a half-game in the National League West standings after their 6-3 win over the Detroit Tigers on Sunday.
The two clubs needed every one of the 162 games last year to decide the winner of the NL West, and it was the Giants won 10 of 19 regular-season matchups. It was fitting they then pushed each other to the limits in the postseason, with the Dodgers coming out on top by winning the NL Division Series in five games.
Currently, the Dodgers have a record of 14-7 and the Giants stand at 14-8, they are both No. 1 and No. 2 in team FIP, and both of their offenses have collective batting averages of .237 which just adds to the incredible ties these franchises have together.
The Dodgers send Julio Urías to the mound as he is coming off quality start against the Arizona Diamondbacks by allowing only one run over six innings of work.
Urías has been frustrated by his recent walk issues but also managed to limit damage over his four starts this season. He has posted a 2.50 ERA while limiting opponents to a .156 batting average.
Urías has logged 76 career innings with a 2.61 ERA against the Giants.
San Francisco counters with Carlos Rodón, who has been electric in his own right. He might be the best left-hander the Dodgers have faced all season, with the exception of Atlanta Braves starter, Max Fried.
Rodón signed a two-year, $44 million contract with the Giants during the offseason, and his 3-0 record, 1.17 ERA, and 38 strikeouts are making that deal look like as much of a bargain as there is in baseball.
The Dodgers lineup is hitting .223/.289/.348 with a 90 wRC+ against left-handers this season with 13 XBH in 204 plate appearances.
The Giants have been without a number of key players, including Brandon Belt, Dominic Leone, Zack Little, Steven Duggar and Mike Yastrzemski, who tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) and have been on the IL for nearly a week.
After going 0-for-4 on Sunday, Trea Turner’s on-base streak was snapped at 39 games, but continues to be in a position to drive-in runs for the Dodgers and leads the team with 18 RBI.
Dodgers lineup
RF: Mookie Betts
1B: Freddie Freeman
SS: Trea Turner
C: Will Smith
DH: Max Muncy
3B: Justin Turner
CF: Cody Bellinger
LF: Chris Taylor
2B: Hanser Alberto
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