The NL West is tightening up headed into the July 29th Dodgers at Giants meeting. L.A was able to close the gap to 2 games with an 8-0 win on Wednesday as -126 favorites, and will look to take the series with David Price (4-0, 3.35 ERA) on the hill priced at -125.
San Francisco counters with Jonny Cueto (6-5, 4.09) as they try to even the season series at 8 wins apiece. The Giants are 17-8 in their last 25 home games, and are 10-2 in their last 12 during game 3 of a series. The Dodgers have won 6 of the last 7 in San Francisco however.
Dodgers Trying for Revenge
These two teams are very familiar with each other, not just because they are NL West rivals but because they also met up for a 4-game series last week in which the Giants took 3 out of 4. Los Angeles could very easily be atop the division if closer Kenley Jansen had not allowed consecutive 9th inning rallies, giving up 7 ER in two final frames.
The L.A offense looked good on Wednesday, getting 3 hits apiece from Max Muncy and A.J. Pollock and a HR from Cody Bellinger. They get a matchup with Cueto for the first time this season in the July 29th Dodgers at Giants matchup. It should be another big performance for Muncy, who is 3-7 with a HR and two doubles vs. Cueto. Justin Turner is 15-38 vs. Cueto as well.
Dodgers pitching has been electric so far in this series, giving up just 2 runs but also salvaging just a split in two games. Price gave up 2 HR in his last start, but also had his highest pitch count of the year (74). Price made consecutive appearances vs. the Giants near the end of May, giving up just 1-hit while striking out 6 (3.2 IP) in one start and one relief appearance.
Giants Try to Pad Their Lead
San Francisco has held on to the NL West lead for a majority of the season, and can get their buffer up to 3 games with a win on Thursday. The Giants have value at +105 in the series finale as they are 32-16 at Oracle Park on the season.
The Giants offense has been stifled so far the last two games, but SF did eek out a 2-1 win on Tuesday thanks to a couple hits, an RBI, and a run scored from Buster Posey. The San Francisco catcher did take a foul ball off the mask in Wednesday’s loss, and left the game with dizziness and a possible concussion.
Having Posey out on Thursday may not be the worst thing, as backup Curt Casali is 7-16 with 3 HR in his career vs. Price. Posey is also 3-7 with a HR vs. the Dodgers starter, so SF seems set at catcher regardless. Cueto has allowed 13 ER in his last four starts, so the more offense the merrier for San Francisco in this one.
Free July 29th Dodgers at Giants Pick
54% of the betting public is backing the Dodgers in this matchup, but they did lose 3 of 4 to the Giants at home last week. This one comes down to which pitcher you trust more – and the answer is neither.
Dodgers 5 – Giants 6
Free Pick: Over 8.5
