Giants Vs. Dodgers Game Preview: Hanser Alberto Starting Designated Hitter With Chance For Series Win

After taking the first two games against the San Francisco Giants, the Los Angeles Dodgers can clinch a series win with another victory on Saturday.

Julio Urías makes his 19th start of the season and looks for continued success in the second half. He allowed just one run on five hits and collected eight strikeouts over seven innings in his last start against the Los Angeles Angels on July 16.

Urías enters at 8-6 with a 2.89 ERA, 3.99 FIP and 1.02 WHIP in 96.2 innings pitched this season. The left-hander was disappointed to not be selected to the 2022 MLB All-Star Game but vowed to move on.

“Things just happened. Obviously you’re two starts away from the All-Star Game, but things happen,” Urías said of not being named an All-Star. “Those are things that are out of my control and I can’t really do anything about.

“I’ve got to focus more on what I need to do to prepare for my next start.”

Urías owns a 3-4 record, 2.45 ERA and 1.17 WHIP in 22 career appearances against the Giants (16 starts). In two starts against San Francisco this year, he has allowed just two runs across 12 innings pitched.

The Giants counter with Alex Wood, who has not allowed an earned run over his last 11.2 innings pitched. He tossed seven scoreless innings against the San Diego Padres on July 10 and followed that up by allowing three unearned runs to the Milwaukee Brewers in his most recent start.

Wood is 6-7 with a 4.20 ERA, 3.10 FIP and 1.24 WHIP in 90 innings pitched this season (18 starts). The southpaw has enjoyed some success against his former Dodgers teammates, as he is 2-3 with a 3.35 ERA and 1.25 WHIP in nine career appearances (seven starts).

Justin Turner remains out of the Dodgers lineup and could miss the series finale as well as he recovers from an abdominal injury. Max Muncy makes another start at third base, and Hanser Alberto gets an opportunity to be the designated hitter. Alberto went 2-for-2 with an RBI double on Thursday.

One day after batting sixth in the lineup — his highest spot in the order this season — Gavin Lux is back to hitting ninth.

Dodgers lineup

RF: Mookie Betts
SS: Trea Turner
1B: Freddie Freeman
C: Will Smith
DH: Hanser Alberto
3B: Max Muncy
LF: Trayce Thompson
CF: Cody Bellinger
2B: Gavin Lux

Giants lineup

CF: Austin Slater
2B: Wilmer Flores
DH: Darin Ruf
3B: Evan Longoria
1B: Brandon Belt
SS: Thairo Estrada
LF: Yermín Mercedes
RF: Luis González
C: Joey Bart

Are you following Dodger Blue on Instagram? It’s the best way to see exclusive coverage from games and events, get your questions answered, and more!