Dodgers at Giants (Game 1)
These are strange days indeed for the Los Angeles Dodgers, who opened their 11-game road trip Friday with a loss when Pedro Baez slipped on the mound and balked in the go-ahead run. The Dodgers look to snap their three-game losing streak Saturday during a split doubleheader against the host San Francisco Giants, who have won five of their last seven.
Los Angeles began the four-game series with Friday's 6-4 loss and could be without two key players Saturday after outfielder Matt Kemp (left quad tightness) and reliever Tony Cingrani (dead arm) both exited the opener with injuries. The Dodgers have dropped 23 of their last 33 games at AT&T Park but received a piece of good news Friday when shortstop Corey Seager singled as a pinch hitter in the eighth inning after being held out of the starting lineup due to a sore hip. Seager could start both ends of Saturday’s doubleheader against the Giants, who are hoping to have left fielder Mac Williamson back in the lineup after he missed Friday’s contest due to concussion symptoms. The Giants' offense has received a much-needed spark from Williamson and first baseman Brandon Belt, who is 13-for-33 with five home runs during his nine-game hitting streak.
TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, SportsNet LA (Los Angeles), NBCSN Bay Area (San Francisco)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers RH Walker Buehler (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. Giants RH Chris Stratton (2-1, 2.32)
Buehler was as good as advertised in his major league debut against Miami last Monday, tossing five scoreless innings with five strikeouts. “He has a really good fastball and he mixed four different pitches, which is pretty rare for a guy who can throw that hard,” Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto told reporters. The 23-year-old has dominated in three starts for Triple-A Oklahoma City this season, posting a 2.08 ERA across 13 innings.
Stratton continued to impress last Monday against Washington, allowing two runs on four hits over 6 2/3 innings in a 4-2 victory. The 27-year-old has been a pleasant surprise since joining the Giants' starting rotation last season on Aug. 5, giving up three runs or fewer in all 13 of his starts and posting a 2.35 ERA in that span. Stratton is 1-2 with a 5.17 ERA in five career games (four starts) against the Dodgers, including 0-1 with a 4.35 ERA in two outings this season.
WALK-OFFS
1. Saturday's doubleheader marks the first between the Dodgers and Giants since Sept. 27, 2003.
2. Dodgers 3B Justin Turner (wrist) was cleared to swing a bat on Friday and hopes to return in mid-May.
3. The Giants placed LHP Josh Osich on the 10-day disabled list with a right hip strain.