Game Preview: Dodgers Face Giants With Magic Number Down to One

Los Angeles Dodgers at San Francisco Giants

Time: 1:05 PM PT

Venue: AT&T Park

San Francisco Record: 73-87

Los Angeles Record: 89-71

How are the Dodgers Doing?

The Dodgers took game one of their series in San Francisco, 3-1. Justin Turner made the difference with a two-run home run in the fifth inning. Hyun-Jin Ryu picked up his seventh win of the year, after allowing one run over six innings.

Why is this Game Important?

The Dodgers have a chance to clinch a playoff spot today if they can either win or the Cardinals lose. In the NL West race, they trail the Rockies by one game. The Cardinals are playing in Chicago against the Cubs, while the Rockies play host to the Nationals.

Pitching Matchup

Clayton Kershaw (9-5, 2.53 ERA) vs Dereck Rodriguez (6-4, 2.50 ERA)

Clayton Kershaw will attempt to reach the double digit win total for the ninth consecutive season. He has won each of his last six decisions, including his last start where he allowed three runs in six innings in Arizona. Kershaw has allowed just one run in each of his three games against the Giants, while throwing at least six innings in each start.

Dereck Rodriguez will face the Dodgers for the first time in his career. The son of Hall of Famer Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez, he had not pitched above double-a prior to this season. Rodriguez has lost his last three decision, but has allowed over three runs just twice this season.

Matchup of the Day

Yasmani Grandal vs Dereck Rodriguez

Although he is not historically a player that produces last in the season, Yasmani Grandal’s bat has come to life in the final stretch of the regular season. He leads the eight hits over the last seven games.

Vegas Odds

OddsShark

Predicted Score

Los Angeles: 5.6

Giants: 2.4

Moneyline Consensus

Los Angeles: -290

Giants: +230

FiveThirtyEight

Los Angeles: 60% chance of winning

Giants: 40% chance of winning

Fun Fact

The Dodgers only wild card berths came in 1996 and 2006.