Urias Looks To Follow May in Stifling Giants
Dustin May could prove to be a tough act to follow for Julio Urias, who will pitch for the Los Angeles Dodgers Saturday in the final series of the season against the San Francisco Giants.
Making his fifth start since returning from Tommy John surgery, May twirled five hitless innings Friday to help give the Dodgers their 14th shutout this season.
Getting him out of the game feeling good is a win,” manager Dave Robert told the media of May.
Urias comes in with wins in 13 of his last 14 decisions, including a pair of scoreless outings vs. the Giants. The lefty ranks in the top five of MLB in wins (16), ERA (2.30), WHIP and batting average against.
Let’s check the latest MLB picks, stats, injury reports, and MLB odds for the Dodgers vs Giants. We’ve plenty of MLB predictions for you to consider.
Flores Staying with Giants
The Giants inked Wilmer Flories to a new contract that keeps him with the team for at least two more seasons.
Flores is in the midst of his worst month of the season with four hits in 50 at bats in September and he hasn’t exactly distinguished himself against the Los Angeles Dodgers, batting .148 with 14 strikeouts in 61 at bats, but he is a versatile player who can play three infield spots and designated hitter.
The Giants may be in need of a DH next season if Brandon Belt moves on as expected.
Flores has set career-highs this season in runs scored, doubles and RBIs while belting 18 home runs to match his career best.
“It was a no-brainer,” Flores, who joined the Giants in 2020 after stops with the New York Mets and Arizona Diamondbacks, told the media. “Since Day 1, I’ve just been loving the culture here and the way that they treat me.”
Lux learning from Freeman
The San Francisco Giants haven’t listed a starting pitcher for this game as of yet, but whoever it is will need to be wary of Gavin Lux, who is expected to start at second base Saturday.
Lux has put together his best career season in the majors and part of it has been getting on Giants’ pitching for 13 hits in 37 at-bats to go along with seven runs scored, nine RBIs and a .995 OPS.
“I think he’s sort of Freddie Freeman lite,” Roberts told the media of Lux. “He’s seen firsthand what Freddie does on a daily basis and has kind of gone under Freddie’s wing. His growth has been exponential and I know he is going big for us.”
Lux has smashed his previous career-highs for hits, runs scored, doubles and walks while hitting 50 points higher than last season.
Dodgers vs Giants Head-to-Head
The Dodgers have won three straight, 10 of the last 11 and 13 of 17 games against the Dodgers this season. The Dodgers haven’t taken 14 games in a season from the Giants since 1979.
Dodgers vs Giants Game Information
- Game: Dodgers (98-44) vs Giants (69-74)
- Location: Oracle Park, San Francisco
- Day/Time: Saturday, September 17, 9:05 p.m. ET
- Live Stream: MLB TV
Dodgers vs Giants Betting Lines
Team | Handicap | Moneyline | Total | Team Total |
Dodgers |
-1½ -190
|
-310 | 7½ -115o | |
Giants |
+1½ +160
|
+250 | 7½ -105u |
Dodgers vs Giants Prediction
The Giants did saddle Urias with one of his seven losses, but in all likelihood, the lefty will lead the Dodgers to another victory and another cover on the run line.
The Dodgers have not just covered the spread recently, they have done so by an average of 4.55 runs in winning nine of their last 12 games against the run line.
Take the Dodgers against the spread and avoid the over/under until the Giants name a starter.