Giants at Dodgers
After being held scoreless in their first two games, the Los Angeles Dodgers put five runs on the board last time out and will look to earn a split of their four-game series against the visiting San Francisco Giants on Sunday. Kenta Maeda struck out 10 over five innings in Saturday’s 5-0 victory as the Dodgers recorded their first win following back-to-back 1-0 losses.
The Dodgers’ pitching staff has a 0.67 ERA through three games but could use some offensive support from players such as Yasiel Puig, Cody Bellinger and Logan Forsythe, who are a combined 0-for-28 to open the season. Closer Kenley Jansen wasn’t needed Saturday, but his velocity was a hot topic after his cutter was clocked a tad slower than usual on Friday, when he allowed Joe Panik’s solo blast in the ninth inning. There are comparatively few concerns in the Giants’ bullpen, where Hunter Strickland has taken over for Mark Melancon (right elbow) and led a rejuvenated group that hasn’t allowed a run over nine innings in the first three games. While the bullpen has been surprisingly sharp, the Giants are 1-for-21 with runners in scoring position and newcomer Evan Longoria is hitless in his first 11 at-bats.
TV: 8:37 p.m. ET, ESPN
PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants RH Chris Stratton (2017: 4-4, 3.68 ERA) vs. Dodgers LH Rich Hill (2017: 12-8, 3.32)
Stratton earned a spot in the rotation after posting a 3.29 ERA over 27 1/3 innings and drawing raves for his improved curveball. The 27-year-old native of Mississippi, who owns a 1-1 record and 6.75 ERA in three career games (two starts) against the Dodgers, hopes to stick in the rotation after bouncing between the minors and majors for the past two seasons. “I feel like I’ve served my time and learned what I needed to learn in the minors,” Stratton told reporters. “I’m ready to attack the hitters up here.”
Hill registered a 7.30 ERA across 12 1/3 innings in four spring training games, including a rough five-inning stint against the Los Angeles Angels on Monday. The 38-year-old has battled blister problems over the past two years but posted a 3.31 ERA in his final 23 starts last season. Brandon Belt is 4-for-8 with a home run against Hill, who is 5-2 with a 2.43 ERA in 11 career starts versus the Giants - including 2-0 with a 1.62 ERA in three turns last season.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Giants have struck out 27 times in their first 27 innings.
2. Dodgers 3B Corey Seager is expected to be back in the starting lineup Sunday following a scheduled day off.
3. Giants RHP Jeff Samardzija (pectoral strain) will throw a bullpen session on Tuesday and hopes to return to the rotation by mid-April.