San Francisco Giants (48-43) vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (60-30)
One of the most heated rivalries in all of the sports is renewed following the All-Star break when the San Francisco Giants travel south to take on the Los Angeles Dodgers. These teams squared off on Thursday, but this preview was written prior to the conclusion of that contest.
San Francisco comes out of the break in third place in the NL West, trailing the Dodgers by 12.5 games, but are just 0.5 games behind the St. Louis Cardinals for the third and final wildcard spot in the National League. San Francisco enter the break red-hot, going 7-3 in their last 10, including winning their last three contests.
The Dodgers have the top record in the National League and were 9-1 in their last 10 entering the break, including winning their last four. They are 30-13 at home, the second best home record in baseball. These teams have faced each other five times this season, with the home team winning all five games. The Dodgers are 2-0 at home against the Giants this year.
It is not surprising that San Francisco enter the break playing so well. The club has a 2.00 ERA over their last 11 games, allowing 85 hits while striking out 99 in 99.0 innings. More importantly, they have allowed just five home runs in that span.
Beaming into the break ?? pic.twitter.com/BrM8UsSLoH
— SFGiants (@SFGiants) July 17, 2022
The Giants have been a solid team on the road this season, going 22-21, but are only 3-4 in their seven road contests in July. San Francisco is third in run production overall (4.86 runs per game), and has been even more formidable on the road. In 43 road games, the club is averaging 4.81 runs per game. It has primarily been the homerun ball that has been the catalyst, as they have 54 home runs and 132 total extra-base hits on the road.
San Francisco will start right-hander Logan Webb. Webb is 9-3 with a 2.83 ERA in 19 starts. He has been on a roll in June, allowing three earned runs in his last three starts combined, a span of 20.0 innings. The right-hander has now allowed two or fewer runs in seven of his last eight starts. If there is an Achilles heel to these Giants right now, it is the bullpen, who have a 4.19 ERA.