For the first time this season, the Giants and Dodgers are facing off. One of the longest-running rivalries in American sports — one that spans back to New York City — is getting renewed for another season.
“The Dodgers games always have an elevated sense of importance,” Giants manager Gabe Kapler said pregame.
First pitch is set for 6:45 PT at Oracle Park. Here’s what you need to know about the matchup.
The matchup
The Giants have started the year 4-5. Their boom-or-bust offensive results have led to resounding victories and disappointing defeats. They blasted seven home runs against the White Sox one game and ran up seven runs in a win in Yankee Stadium, but have also been shut out twice.
The Dodgers, meanwhile, enter the series 5-5. They’ve already played two series against the National League West foe Diamondbacks; Arizona swept LAD in three games this weekend.
The Giants are 1,274-1,623-18 against the Dodgers all-time.
On the bump
Giants ace Logan Webb is seeking his first win of the season, while Julio Urías enters with two victories already under his belt. Urías led baseball in wins with a 20-3 record in 2021 and is working on a third straight sub-3.00 ERA season.
The 26-year-old Urías has struck out 12 while walking none in his two starts.
Webb, 26, posted a 5.57 ERA in four starts against the Dodgers last year, but has shut them down in the past — including in the 2021 NLDS. In his career, Webb has a 4.44 ERA in 10 regular season starts against LAD.
Urías and Webb have faced off four times in the regular season, with the Giants winning the past three straight matchups.
How’d they fare last year?
The Giants went 4-15 against the Dodgers last year, setting a San Francisco-era record for most losses in the rivalry.
In those games, the Giants got outscored 99 to 55. Some memorable moments included Cody Bellinger’s grand slam, Brandon Belt getting pinch hit for and Yermín Mercedes’ foibles in the outfield.
The Dodgers are a different team now, though. Their regular starting shortstop is Miguel Vargas — not Trea Turner or Gavin Lux. They lost pitchers Tyler Anderson, Andrew Heaney and Craig Kimbrel in free agency.
“The 2022 Dodgers are not playing the 2022 Giants,” Kapler said.
Schedule Quirks
The Giants and Dodgers meet just 13 times this year — with seven games in Los Angeles and six at Oracle Park — as a result of the new balanced schedule. The rivals don’t meet at all in July or August.
After this three-game series, the Giants don’t host the Dodgers again until Sept. 29 — the finale home series of the regular season.
“Not much,” Giants designated hitter Joc Pederson said of the reduced quantity of Dodgers games. “Still going to play the Dodgers a lot. The rivalry will be on and popping. It’s awesome for both sides.”
Monday night also represents both the first National League opponent the Giants have faced this year and the first night game they’ll play.
Starting Lineups
Catcher Joey Bart has returned to the starting lineup after two rehab assignments, spending the minimum amount of time on the injured list with a mild back strain.
Both clubs have geared their batting orders to win platoon advantages. Against Webb, a righty, the Dodgers shifted Mookie Betts to second base so as to fit three left-handed hitters in the outfield. The Giants, against the southpaw Urías, are once again starting Heliot Ramos in left field; they’re down Mitch Haniger (oblique) and Austin Slater (hamstring).
Michael Conforto, who hit the go-ahead home run in San Francisco’s series finale victory over Kansas City, is getting an off day after playing in all of SF’s first nine games.
Who’s Hot
Dodgers outfielder James Outman was riding a three-game hitting streak before Sunday. The rookie has hit three home runs and two triples already this season, driving in nine runs.
Perennial stars Freddie Freeman and Will Smith have also started the season scorching from the plate. Each have posted an OPS over 1.000, and Freeman is hitting .421.
On the Giants side, second baseman Thairo Estrada has paced the offense with a .364 average. He’s leading off Monday night.
Who’s Not
The Dodgers’ Plan A at shortstop after losing Trea Turner to the Phillies was Gavin Lux. But he suffered a season-ending injury in spring training.
Los Angeles then turned to Miguel Rojas. But in five games, the veteran is hitting .118 with a .387 OPS. He also has a groin strain.
Starting at shortstop against Webb is utility man Chris Taylor, who is hitting .125 so far this season.
The Giants haven’t gotten much production — or health luck — from their catchers, and Bart will try to change that in his season debut. Against Urías, Clayton Kershaw in the series finale and more left-handed pitchers the Giants are likely to face in Detroit, the former second overall pick has a great opportunity to prove himself.
Betting Odds
The Giants are underdogs at home. According to Fanduel Sportsbook, their odds are as follows:
- Moneyline: LAD: (-152) | SF: (+128)
- Spread: LAD: -1.5 (+116) | SF: +1.5 (-140)
- Total: 7.5 — Over: (+100) | Under: (-122)
According to sports gambling site Action Network, 74% of the public bets have come in on the Dodgers.