In the third of a four-game series between the San Francisco Giants (4-1) and the Los Angeles Dodgers (3-2) at AT&T Park, Madison Bumgarner (1-0, 5.40 ERA) and Clayton Kershaw (1-0, 0.00 ERA) take the mound. The Giants won the last game 3-2, and San Francisco leads the series 2-0. The game gets underway at 4:05 p.m. ET on Saturday, Apr. 9 and will air on FS1, CSBA and SNLA.
In his most recent outing, Bumgarner pitched 5.0 innings, giving up three runs, striking out six and walking five in a 12-3 victory over the Brewers. Brandon Crawford (.333 ) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one run, one home run, and one RBI. The Dodgers were also victorious the last time Kershaw pitched. He pitched well, going 7.0 innings, allowing zero runs, striking out nine and walking one in a 15-0 victory over the Padres. Yasiel Puig (.500 ) went 1 for 3 yesterday with one stolen base.
Oddsmakers have deemed this game an even matchup and the Over/Under (O/U) is presently unavailable. The Giants are a power hitting team with nine home runs, one of the highest totals in the MLB. Turning to the pitching staff, an area where the Giants are particularly strong is striking batters out, where they average 7.0 K’s per game.
Against divisional opponents, the Dodgers are 2-0 SU. One of the top hitting teams in the league are the Dodgers, who have a .298 batting average. Switching gears to Los Angeles’s pitching staff, they have a WHIP of 0.909, third best in the MLB.
So far this season, the Giants are 2-0 against the Dodgers.
Predictions: SU Winner – LAD
Notes
The Dodgers lost their last game by a one-run margin. In games decided by one run, the Giants are 2-1. The Dodgers are 0-1 in close games this season.
The Giants are coming into this game after allowing two walks during their last outing. The Dodgers have a 1-2 record when opponents give up two walks or less.
It looks like the Giants have a slight leg up on the Dodgers, as the Giants have won their last two games while the Dodgers have lost their last two.
When they outhit their opponents, the Dodgers are 3-1. The Giants have a 3-0 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking first in runs, Los Angeles has earned 33 this season. San Francisco ranks second with 32 runs.
Ranking 19th, Los Angeles is in the bottom half of the league in walks, notching 11 this season. San Francisco ranks in the top five at fourth with 19.
When the Giants hit at least one home run, they are 4-1. When the Dodgers hit at least one homer, they have a 1-1 record.
