Los Angeles Dodgers at San Francisco Giants Betting Preview

The Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants conclude a three-game National League West series Sunday night. The two teams will meet again starting Thursday for a four-game set in Los Angeles. Sunday’s first pitch is at 4:05 p.m. EST at Oracle Park in San Francisco, CA.

What to Know – Los Angeles Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers enters the weekend series, having dropped only one game in its last nine contests. The Dodgers play without crucial pieces to their offense and pitching staff but still find ways to win due to their depth. Los Angeles is two games back of the Giants in the NL West as they meet up for the first time this season.

Julio Urias (6-1, 3.04 ERA, 0.85 WHIP) takes the hill for the Dodgers, looking for his third victory in a row. The 24-year old has tossed 56.1 innings on the season, allowing 19 earned runs on 41 hits while striking out 60. Urias was on in his last start, firing 6.2 innings and scattering three hits and one earned run in the victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The Dodgers are among the top offensive teams in the majors, averaging 5.1 runs per game with the eighth-best batting average (.245) in the majors. First baseman Max Muncy has emerged as an offensive threat with Cody Bellinger sidelined. Muncy is hitting .277 and leading the defending World Series champions in home runs (8) and runs batted in (23).

What to Know – San Francisco Giants

The San Francisco Giants is one of the biggest surprises so far in 2021. The Giants were projected to finish third in the NL West but currently sit atop the standings as we close in on the first two months of play.

Right-hander Anthony DeSclafani (4-1, 2.03 ERA, 0.92 WHIP) carries impressive statistics into Sunday’s start for the Giants. The 31-year old is putting together one of his best seasons’s on the mound, firing 53.1 innings with only 12 earned runs allowed in nine starts. DeSclafani was effective in his last start, pitching 7.0 strong innings of a one-run ball over the Cincinnati Reds.

Offensively, the Giants score 4.6 runs per game behind a team batting (.227) that ranks 27th in the majors. Veteran shortstop Brandon Crawford has already tied his home run total from 2019 (11) in nearly 400 fewer plate appearances. Crawford leads the Giants in runs driven in (29) and runs scored (25).

The Pick is In

Sunday’s contest will be game three of seven between these two teams over ten days, giving fans a great look at the two of the top teams in the NL West. LA continues to battle injuries while the Giants maintain a solid record despite offensive struggles.

The afternoon clash at Oracle Park should be another tight contest, but the offensive woes for San Francisco will be a factor against Urias and the Dodgers. Sunday’s game is tied until the later innings of play, with the Dodgers pulling away.

The Pick: Los Angeles Dodgers, 5-3