Mike Bolsinger (4-1, 2.25 ERA) and Chris Heston (6-5, 3.76 ERA) start in the first of a three-game series between the Los Angeles Dodgers (38-29) and the San Francisco Giants (36-32) at Dodger Stadium. Action begins at 10:10 p.m. ET on Friday, Jun. 19 and can be seen on NBC Bay and SportsNet LA.
Bolsinger is 0-2 with a 3.44 ERA in his appearances against the Giants, and goes up against a good San Francisco offense which is batting .267 this season. Heston is 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA against the Dodgers in his career. He is up against a quality Los Angeles offense that’s batting .256. Matt Duffy (.293, 19 Rs, 6 HRs, 31 RBIs, 2 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one run and two RBIs.
Los Angeles is a -139 favorite against San Francisco and the Over/Under (O/U) for this game is sitting at seven runs. The Dodgers have an overall money line of -438 and a record as the favorite of 33-26. Los Angeles has had an impressive season against division opponents, earning 25-16 and 26-17 records as the favorite and SU respectively. The Dodgers have no trouble scoring as they rank fourth in the NL in home offense with 4.6 runs per game. The Dodgers are one of the best in the MLB in terms of home runs with 84. Los Angeles leads the whole NL in walks, earning an average of 3.6 per game. Crossing over to the pitching staff, the Dodgers are the third-best team in the league at limiting hits and walks to their opponents, recording a WHIP of 1.18 so far this season.
In the other locker room, in contrast to a worrisome overall money line (-58), San Francisco has an impressive 19-12 record when playing as the underdog. They are 12-6 as the underdog against NL West foes, and 16-19 SU. Offensively, the Giants have really sputtered in division games. They have decreased their season average of 4.0 runs per game by averaging 3.2 in those contests.
The Giants have controlled the season series, 7-2. The Dodgers have a 34-22 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Heston takes the mound. Bolsinger (RHP) will be on the hill against the Giants, who have a 26-27 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – LAD, O/U – Over
Notes
Los Angeles earned its ninth shutout of the season in its last game. San Francisco has been shut out seven times this season.
The Giants are 3-1 in games that go into extra innings. Meanwhile, the Dodgers are 3-2 in such matchups.
The Giants managed to give up four walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Dodgers who are heading in with a 24-12 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they outhit their opponents, the Dodgers are 27-7. The Giants have a 31-5 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 15th, San Francisco sits in the top half of the league in runs, scoring 272 this season. Los Angeles ranks in the top 10 at 10th with 285.
Ranking 16th, San Francisco is in the bottom half of the league in walks, notching 193 this season. Los Angeles ranks in the top five at second with 242.
The Dodgers are 31-17 when they hit at least one home run. The Giants perform similarly when they hit one or more homers with a 24-11 record.
