The Los Angeles Dodgers have reached the final leg of their road trip with the start of a three-game series against the San Francisco Giants. The weekend set at Oracle Park is the final meeting of the year between the two rivals who have gone in drastically different directions since a heated National League West race in 2021.
With the Dodgers already clinching a ninth NL West title in the past 10 years, the only thing they have left to play for is the top playoff seed. They currently hold a five-game lead over the Houston Astros for the best record in baseball and a 9.5-game lead over the New York Mets for the top spot in the NL.
Dustin May takes the ball for the Dodgers and is trying to get back on track and prove himself worthy of a postseason rotation spot. Following two strong outings to begin his season following a return from Tommy John Surgery, May was unable to find much success against the San Diego Padres in consecutive starts.
“They’ve gotten progressively worse, but this one was better than the last one,” he said after his last start on Sept. 9. “So I’ve just got to build off of that.”
The 25-year-old has made four starts while pitching to a 4.29 ERA, 5.11 FIP and 1.19 WHIP with 21 strikeouts and 11 walks in 21 innings. He owns a career 3.14 ERA across 134.2 innings.
The Giants counter with Logan Webb, another 25-year-old right-hander who has become quite familiar with the Dodgers and the ace of San Francisco’s pitching staff.
In 29 starts, Webb has thrown 178 innings with a 2.89 ERA, 3.11 FIP and 1.16 WHIP with 149 strikeouts to 46 walks. He has faced the Dodgers three times this season, posting a 4.76 ERA in 17 innings, however, six of the 10 runs he has allowed came in one start on Aug. 1.
After getting a day off on Wednesday following their division-clinching win against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Mookie Betts, Trea Turner and Freddie Freeman all return to the Dodgers lineup. So too are Max Muncy and Justin Turner.
How to watch Dodgers vs. Giants on Apple TV+
The Dodgers and Giants series opener is being streamed exclusively on Apple TV+ with no separate SportsNet L.A. telecast. Fans do have the option to listen via radio on AM 570 L.A. Sports.
“Friday Night Baseball” games are available to anyone with internet access across devices where Apple TV+ can be found, including on the app on iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV 4K and HD, and on tv.apple.com, along with smart TVs, gaming consoles and cable boxes.
A subscription is not needed to watch “Friday Night Baseball,” but an Apple ID is required. Options to stream the Dodgers game for free include launching the Apple TV app and selecting the broadcast; or from the MLB.TV app, choosing the “Friday Night Baseball” game to then be redirected to the Apple TV app (where available); or by visiting https://tv.apple.com/ to log in or create an Apple ID.
Dodgers lineup
RF: Mookie Betts
SS: Trea Turner
1B: Freddie Freeman
C: Will Smith
DH: Max Muncy
3B: Justin Turner
LF: Joey Gallo
2B: Chris Taylor
CF: Cody Bellinger
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!