Most projection models for the 2021 regular season, including PECOTA, had the Los Angeles Dodgers again winning the National League West and the San Francisco Giants finishing no better than third place in the division.
Yet, seven weeks into the season and with the rivals set to meet for the first time this year, it’s the Giants who are atop the NL West standings and the Dodgers sitting in third place — albeit only two games out.
The series opener at Oracle Park has Alex Wood facing his former teammates, which the left-hander is looking forward to on a personal level and also with seeing how the Giants compare to the Dodgers, per Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle:
“It will be a big test for us. They’re a great ballclub,” Giants starter Alex Wood said. “They’re a little banged-up, but they’ve got plenty of depth to sustain them.”
“I’m very much looking forward to this weekend. You know the Giants and Dodgers will always have a competitive series. I’m excited to see the other side of the rivalry, for sure. It’ll be a blast.”
Wood was traded to the Dodgers during the 2015 season and he remained with the team through the 2018 campaign. Wood then was included with Kyle Farmer, Matt Kemp and Yasiel Puig in a trade to the Cincinnati Reds that offseason. He spent one year with Cincinnati before returning to the Dodgers last season.
The southpaw became a free agent for the second time in his career and proceeded to sign a one-year contract with the Giants. He’s impressed thus far, entering play Friday at 5-0 with a 1.75 ERA and 0.94 WHIP in six starts.
Turner discusses Dodgers’ rivalries
Much has been made of the competitive matchups between the Dodgers and San Diego Padres, and how that has become a rivalry of sorts.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, Max Muncy and Corey Seager have each downplayed that notion, though Justin Turner acknowledged there is one between L.A. and San Diego. However, it came with the caveat that the Dodgers view every NL West opponent as a rival because of how important divisional games are.
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