The San Francisco Giants picked the perfect time to wake up from their slumber. A visit from their NL West rivals, the Los Angeles Dodgers, has seen the Giants win back-to-back games for just the second time this season. Can the defending World Series champions complete the series sweep? Read on for our preview of the final game of this three-game set.
For more on the day’s baseball action, check out our complete preview for the Red Sox vs. Rays.
[sc:MLBArticles ]Los Angeles Dodgers vs. San Francisco Giants Preview
Where: AT&T Park, San Francisco, CA
When: Thursday, April 23, 3:45 PM ET
Line: Los Angeles Dodgers at San Francisco Giants – view all MLB lines
Betting on the Los Angeles Dodgers
A meeting with their archrival Giants seems to have cooled down the Dodgers’ bats. After scoring at least five runs during a seven-game win streak, Los Angeles has been held to just two runs in back-to-back losses against at San Francisco.
[sc:MLB240banner ]Adrian Gonzalez, who leads the Dodgers in home runs (five), batting average (.434) and RBIs (14), was rested in Wednesday night’s game but pinch hit in the latter innings. He went 0-for-1. Look for Gonzalez to once again show his power Thursday afternoon. He’s hit 5-of-14 with three doubles and a home run against San Francisco starter Ryan Vogelsong over the past two seasons.
The Dodgers could also get some production from Yasiel Puig. The outfielder has hit safely over his last six games, going 10-for-25 with a double, two homers and three RBIs. Puig has hit 2-of-5 against Vogelsong in his career.
Getting some run support will be crucial especially with Mike Bolsinger making his Los Angeles debut. Bolsinger was acquired from the Diamondbacks in November. He was far from impressive with Arizona, going 1-6 with a 5.47 ERA last season. Bolsinger went 0-2 with a 4.26 ERA against the Giants last season.
Los Angeles has won six of its last nine visits to AT&T Park.
Betting on the San Francisco Giants
After dropping 10 of their first 14 games, the Giants are finally showing their championship class. San Francisco stands an excellent chance to sweep the Dodgers for the first time since May 3-5, 2013 at AT&T Park.
San Francisco can do some damage at the heart of the order. Brandon Belt and Brandon Crawford, batting sixth and eighth respectively, have each gone 2-for-3 against Bolsinger in their careers. Belt has gone 4-for-10 over his last three appearances. Crawford has gone 5-for-12 with a double, a homer, three RBIs and three runs scored over his last four outings.
The Giants could find themselves in a high-scoring ball-game this time around, a change of pace from Wednesday night’s 3-2 win. Starter Ryan Vogelsong has had a very rough start to his season. He took the loss in his first start of the season on April 7 as he allowed seven runs, including two three-run homers, and walked four in 4.2 innings.
He’s been demoted to the bullpen, and has struggled there as well. He’s yielded seven runs on 14 hits in 5.1 innings of relief.
But Vogelson has had success against the Dodgers. He has gone 4-3 with a 3.35 ERA in 14 career starts against Los Angeles. The Giants have won in five of Vogelsong’s last six starts against the Dodgers.
Writer’s Prediction
The Dodgers avoid the sweep. Create a betting account now and get your daily fix of Major League Baseball action.
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