After dropping three of four to the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field, the Los Angeles Dodgers return home and host the rival San Francisco Giants in the opener of a three-game series.
The Dodgers haven’t fared all that well against the Giants this season, having gone 6-7 in 13 previous meetings. A mere five games separate both clubs in the National League West race, while Los Angeles finds itself closer to first place in the division.
Looking to right the ship and snap a three-game losing streak in the process, the Dodgers send Clayton Kershaw to the mound. He enters with a 5-5 record, 2.58 ERA, 3.11 FIP and 1.07 WHIP in 101.1 innings pitched this season (17 starts).
Kershaw is coming off an excellent outing against the Oakland Athletics on Aug. 8, to which he allowed two runs in six innings despite striking out only one batter.
The three-time Cy Young Award winner has two starts under his belt against the Giants this season, though both took place in April. In those outings, he yielded a combined two runs in 13 innings pitched with 13 strikeouts (1.38 ERA).
Kershaw has historically dominated the Giants over the course of his career, compiling a 22-10 record with a 1.60 ERA and 0.85 WHIP across 310.1 innings (43 games, 42 starts). His 1.60 ERA against San Francisco is the lowest mark versus any single opponent in the live-ball era (minimum 30 starts).
Fittingly on National Left-Handers Day, the Giants counter with fellow southpaw Madison Bumgarner. He enters with a 4-4 record, 2.69 ERA, 3.59 FIP and 1.25 WHIP in 73.2 innings pitched this season (12 starts).
Like Kershaw, Bumgarner is coming off a terrific performance against an American League West powerhouse. He tossed seven shutout innings against the Houston Astros on Aug. 7, allowing only five hits compared to seven strikeouts.
Bumgarner last faced the Dodgers on June 16, when he yielded 10 baserunners and three runs in six innings pitched. He was tabbed with his second loss of the season, as the Giants were defeated, 3-1.
The 29-year-old is 15-10 with a 2.60 ERA and 1.04 WHIP in his career against the Dodgers, having accumulated 188 strikeouts to 38 walks over 190.2 innings (30 games, 29 starts). Bumgarner has enjoyed further success at Dodger Stadium, going 9-7 with a 2.42 ERA and 0.98 WHIP in 122.2 innings pitched (19 appearances, 18 starts).
Monday marks the 11th time Kershaw and Bumgarner will face off in their careers, and the first such matchup since 2016. The Dodgers and Giants have split the first 10 games that they have opposed each other.
In 10 previous bouts, Kershaw owns a 2.00 ERA and 0.81 WHIP with 78 strikeouts against eight walks. That’s compared to Bumgarner, who has posted a 2.56 ERA and 1.14 WHIP with 71 punch outs to 14 free passes.
Cody Bellinger is the only left-handed bat in the Dodgers lineup as he has been on fire as of late. He is slashing .441/.513/.647 with two home runs and 10 RBI in 11 games in the month of August.
Dodgers lineup:
Dozier 2B
Turner 3B
Machado SS
Hernandez CF
Taylor LF
Puig RF
Bellinger 1B
Barnes C
Kershaw P
Giants lineup:
McCutchen RF
d’Arnaud 2B
Posey C
Longoria 3B
Slater 1B
Crawford SS
Hernandez LF
Duggar CF
Bumgarner P
