The San Francisco Giants (69-75) will have their work cut out for them against Julio Urias at Oracle Park on Saturday when the impressive left-hander takes the mound for the Los Angeles Dodgers (99-44). The Dodgers took Friday’s series opener 5-0, their 13th head-to-head victory in 17 games this season. Starter Dustin May threw five scoreless, no-hit innings for the win. Justin Turner was 2 for 4 with two doubles and one run in the win. David Villar went 1 for 3 for the Giants.
ON THE MOUND
Urias (16-7, 2.29 ERA) is in line to take the mound for Los Angeles. The LHP leads the NL in ERA and is tied for second in wins. Urias allowed two runs over seven innings in his last start, an 8-4 road win over the Padres on September 10. He got the win, scattering five hits while striking out five and walking two. Over four previous starts against the Giants this season, Urias has allowed only two earned runs over 24 innings (3-1, 0.75). He has struck out 25 and walked two. LHP Alex Young (0-1, 2.40 ERA) gets the ball for San Francisco. He has made three appearances against the Dodgers this season, all in relief, giving up one run over three innings (0-0, 3.00) with two strikeouts and one walk. In his last start on September 8, Young took the loss on the road against the Brewers. He threw 0.2 innings and gave up three runs (1 ER) on one hit, walking two, in the 4-2 defeat.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Los Angeles has averaged 5.8 runs a game, a small gain compared to their season average of 5.4. Against southpaws like Young this season, the Dodgers have a .777 OPS. Mookie Betts is the team’s most potent producer against left-handers with a 1.048 OPS in 130 at-bats. San Francisco is averaging only 2.4 runs per game in the last five, down from 4.3 for the season, with their slash line slipping across the board (.190/.248/.261). The Giants have a .728 OPS against left-handers in 2022. With a .844 OPS over 101 at-bats, Evan Longoria has been their best hitter against left-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Los Angeles is 50-26 in road games in 2022, scoring 5.3 runs per game while allowing 2.9 runs. San Francisco has gone 39-34 at Oracle Park this season, averaging 4.4 runs per game while surrendering 4.1. Los Angeles is 7-3 in the last 10 games between the NL West rivals at Oracle Park with an average scoreline of 4.5-2.5.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Dodgers lead the NL West by 21 games over the Padres. Their magic number to clinch the division is zero. The Giants are third in the NL West, 30 games behind the Dodgers. They are fifth in the Wild Card race, nine games out of a postseason position.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Los Angeles Dodgers
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
