Dodgers at Giants
Scoring runs shouldn’t be a problem this season for the San Francisco Giants and the Los Angeles Dodgers, who continue their four-game series Friday at AT&T Park. The Dodgers have averaged nearly eight runs in their first four games but suffered their first loss Thursday as Hunter Pence belted a grand slam to lead the Giants to a 12-6 victory.
Los Angeles opened the season with three straight shutouts over the San Diego Padres but is clearly facing a tougher opponent in San Francisco, which boasts one of the deepest lineups in the majors. Giants second baseman Joe Panik, who was limited by back problems in last season’s second half, has carried over his strong play from spring training by hitting .353 with a home run and four RBIs in the first four games. The Giants have won three of their first four contests while receiving contributions throughout the lineup from veterans such as Angel Pagan, who has moved to left field to make room for new arrival Denard Span in center. The Dodgers have 10 players on the disabled list but hope to have catcher Yasmani Grandal (forearm) and second baseman Howie Kendrick (calf) back for next Tuesday’s home opener.
TV: 10:15 p.m. ET, SportsNet LA (Los Angeles), NBC Bay Area (San Francisco)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers RH Ross Stripling (MLB debut) vs. Giants RH Matt Cain (2015: 2-4, 5.79)
Stripling was surprisingly named the Dodgers’ fifth starter over Carlos Frias and Zach Lee despite missing most of the past two seasons due to Tommy John surgery on his right arm. “I think he has the weapons and if you couple that with a game plan, it gives us the best chance for us to win,” manager Dave Roberts told reporters. The 26-year-old, who has never pitched about the Double-A level, posted a 4.09 ERA over 11 innings during spring training.
Cain has been limited to a total of 28 starts and 151 innings over the last two seasons due to injury, but he ended spring training on an encouraging note by allowing three runs (one earned) over five innings against Oakland. The 31-year-old had surgery to remove a cyst from his upper right arm in late February and ended camp with a 1-2 mark and 7.71 ERA in three starts. Chase Utley is 9-for-27 with four homers against the three-time All-Star, who is 5-11 with a 3.49 ERA in 30 career starts against the Dodgers.
WALK-OFFS
1. San Francisco has won nine of the last 11 games against the Dodgers at AT&T Park.
2. Giants C Buster Posey is expected to rest Friday before catching Madison Bumgarner on Saturday.
3. The Dodgers signed RHP Sam LeCure to a minor league contract and assigned him to Triple-A Oklahoma City.