The San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers will conclude their four-game series to open up the 2020 season on Sunday night. With Los Angeles dominating the early part of the series, they are heavy favorites to win the finale on Sunday.
For the Giants, the early part of the season has gone as poorly as possible. Granted they have faced the Dodgers who are World Series favorites and plus San Francisco did score a victory on Saturday afternoon. Things are still looking pretty bleak though not just for the weekend but for the Giants’ season altogether.
A split in four games vs. the Dodgers may just be what San Francisco needs to get their momentum going under new manager Gabe Kapler. It’s the first weekend of the season – but is this a must-win game for the Giants?
Meanwhile, it’s been business as usual for the Dodgers. Los Angeles is the top favorite to win the NL West for an eighth consecutive season and ultimately win the National League pennant. That sentiment remains even after a 5-4 loss to San Francisco on Saturday.
Another Lefty
Julio Urias will make the start for Los Angeles on Sunday. Clayton Kershaw is briefly sidelined due to injury, but this will still be the second straight left-hander the Giants face after Alex Wood started on Saturday.
The 23-year-old Urias has been limited by injuries over the past few seasons. However, he made eight starts and 31 relief appearances last year, posting a 2.49 ERA. Once a high-profile prospect, Urias started to grow into his own last season and is hoping that carries over in 2020.
Urias has fared well in limited action against the Giants in his career. Hunter Pence, who figures to be a key weapon for San Francisco from the right side, is just 1 for 8 with three strikeouts against the Dodgers starter.
As a team the Giants have struggled offensively early in the season, which isn’t surprising. Brandon Belt and Evan Longoria being on the IL early in the season hasn’t helped nor has Buster Posey opting out to preserve the health of his two young adopted children.
Building a Mystery
The Giants still haven’t officially listed a starter for Sunday’s game. Drew Smyly and Trevor Cahill are both options – but how reliable of options? San Francisco manager Gabe Kapler tried to throw a curveball at the Dodgers on Friday by going with lefty Tyler Anderson as an opener before turning the ball over to Kevin Gausman. That strategy didn’t work, although it was a sign that Kapler is willing to think outside the box to keep the Dodgers off balance.
Of course, cooling down the Los Angeles lineup has proved difficult in this series. Despite superstars Cody Bellinger and Mookie Betts being held under wraps over the first couple of games, the rest of the Dodgers are in mid-season form. Second baseman Enrique Hernandez has found lightning in a bottle while first baseman Max Muncy already has multiple home runs this season.
Big Blue Wave
It doesn’t matter who the Giants send to the mound they aren’t going to slow down the Los Angeles lineup. The Dodgers are hot offensively to start the season and San Francisco doesn’t have the firepower to stay in this game. Bet on the Dodgers to take the series finale on Sunday.
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