18 September, 2025
dodgers-battle-giants-in-four-game-series-opener-tonight

The Los Angeles Dodgers begin a crucial four-game series against the San Francisco Giants tonight at 22:10 EDT at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. This matchup sees the Dodgers, currently leading the National League West with an overall record of 85-67, take on the Giants, who stand at 76-76 and sit fourth in the same division.

As the teams prepare for their tenth encounter of the season, the Dodgers have held the upper hand, leading the series 6-3. Los Angeles boasts a home record of 49-28, demonstrating their strength on familiar turf. In contrast, San Francisco has struggled on the road, with a 38-39 record.

Pitching Matchup and Key Statistics

The showdown features a compelling pitching duel. The Giants will send Logan Webb to the mound, who has a record of 14-10 with a 3.34 ERA and 206 strikeouts this season. The Dodgers counter with Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who has an 11-8 record, a 2.66 ERA, and 187 strikeouts.

Betting lines from BETMGM position the Dodgers as favorites at -163, while the Giants are listed at +136. The over/under for the game is set at 7.5 runs, indicating expectations for a competitive matchup.

In terms of offensive performance, the Dodgers excel when they out-hit their opponents, achieving a remarkable 63-16 record in such scenarios. They have been particularly potent recently, holding a 7-3 record in their last ten games, supported by a batting average of .291 and a team ERA of 3.16. Conversely, the Giants have struggled, going 4-6 in their last ten outings with a batting average of just .185 and an ERA of 5.00.

Injury Updates and Player Performances

Injuries continue to impact both teams as they head into this series. The Dodgers are without several key players, including catcher Will Smith on the 10-Day Injured List due to a hand injury, and several pitchers on the 60-Day IL, including Tony Gonsolin (elbow) and Evan Phillips (forearm).

For the Giants, Dominic Smith is on the 10-Day IL with a hamstring issue, while other players like Randy Rodriguez and Erik Miller are also sidelined due to elbow injuries.

Highlighting individual performances, Mookie Betts has been a standout for the Dodgers, recording 22 doubles, 19 home runs, and 78 RBIs while maintaining a batting average of .261. On the Giants’ side, Rafael Devers has been impressive with 31 doubles and 31 home runs this season.

As the Dodgers and Giants face off tonight, both teams are keen to gain momentum heading into the latter part of the season. The stakes are high, and fans can expect an exciting matchup filled with action and intensity.