The Los Angeles Dodgers won their first four meetings with the San Francisco Giants this season, but now have suffered back-to-back home losses to their National League West rival. It’s dropped L.A. into third place in the division, 2.5 games back of the San Diego Padres.
Clayton Kershaw looks to stop the skid Sunday and help the Dodgers get a series split. Kershaw makes his 50th career start against the Giants and his 1.79 ERA in the matchup is the best for any pitcher and one opponent (minimum 15 starts).
The Dodgers lineup was expected to see the return of Mookie Betts after he was given another game off to reset. “I hope he doesn’t pick up a bat,” manager Dave Roberts said Saturday.
“I just think that he’s not going to get many days off, doesn’t get many days off. … The days prior, he’s worked really hard and put in a lot of repetition, so I would love it if he just kind of sat back and cheered his teammates on.”
Betts has been bothered by back and left shoulder trouble, which could explain his inconsistency and struggles at the plate this season. Though, the 2018 American League MVP has continued to maintain the minor issues can’t be used an excuse for the subpar performance.
Betts was in the initial Dodgers lineup but ultimately scratched due to waking up with allergies that prevented him from being able to keep his eyes open, Roberts said.
Cody Bellinger makes a second consecutive start since being activated off the 10-day injured list and so too does Zach McKinstry, who spells Justin Turner at third base. Bellinger went 0-for-4 with a walk and two strikeouts in his return, and McKinstry was 0-for-3 and struck out twice.
The Dodgers try to hand Kevin Gausman his first loss of the season, with the right-hander entering 5-0 in 10 starts. Gausman did not make a start against the Dodgers during last weekend’s series at Oracle Park.
He’s coming off back-to-back outings of not allowing a run and sports a 1.53 ERA to go along with a 0.85 WHIP.
Dodgers lineup
LF: Chris Taylor
2B: Max Muncy
RF: Matt Beaty
CF: Cody Bellinger
SS: Gavin Lux
1B: Albert Pujols
3B: Zach McKinstry
C: Austin Barnes
P: Clayton Kershaw
Giants lineup
LF: Austin Slater
2B: Donovan Solano
1B: Wilmer Flores
3B: Evan Longoria
SS: Mauricio Dubón
CF: Steven Duggar
C: Curt Casali
RF: Mike Tauchman
P: Kevin Gausman
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