San Francisco Giants vs. Los Angeles Dodgers Preview and Predictions 08-15-2018 in MLB
MLB Previews 15th August 2018 by Gracenote
Giants vs. Dodgers Preview and Predictions
by Gracenote on 08/15/2018
Kenley Jansen's absence continues to be felt by the Los Angeles Dodgers, who have lost five straight games without their sidelined closer. The Dodgers have fallen into third place in the National League West and look to avoid a sweep of their three-game series against the visiting San Francisco Giants on Wednesday.
Los Angeles was held to five hits in Tuesday's 2-1 loss and struggled again in the late innings without Jansen, who landed on the disabled list last week with an irregular heartbeat but hopes to return as soon as next Tuesday. "At the back end, Jansen's presence kind of puts everyone in their rightful roles and positions to have success," manager Dave Roberts told reporters. "We play games close. That's just how we're built and what we do, so to have that guy in the back end is huge. We'll get him back soon." While the Dodgers fell two games behind first-place Arizona in the division, San Francisco won for the fourth time in five contests and moved within five games of first place. Alen Hanson went 2-for-4 with two RBIs for the Giants, who are hopeful that Brandon Crawford can avoid the disabled list after entering the concussion protocol following a collision in Monday's series opener.
TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, NBCS Bay Area (San Francisco), SportsNet LA, KTLA (Los Angeles)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants LH Derek Holland (6-8, 3.97 ERA) vs. Dodgers LH Hyun-Jin Ryu (3-0, 2.12)
Holland notched his first victory since June 20 despite surrendering five runs - four earned - and 10 hits over 6 1/3 innings against Pittsburgh on Friday. The 31-year-old native of Ohio has provided valuable innings for the Giants' injury-plagued rotation, posting a 3.12 ERA and 77-to-20 strikeout-to-walk ratio over his last 15 games (11 starts). Brian Dozier is 5-for-16 with a home run against Holland, who is 0-3 with a 6.38 ERA in four career starts versus the Dodgers.
Ryu (groin) will be activated from the disabled list to make his first start since May 2, when he was forced to exit after 1 1/3 innings. The 31-year-old South Korean made two starts during a rehab assignment, allowing one run and seven hits over nine frames. Buster Posey is 10-for-31 with a home run against Ryu, who owns a 4-6 record and 3.36 ERA in 13 career starts versus San Francisco - including and 0-2 mark and 1.17 ERA in three outings last season.
WALK-OFFS
1. Dozier returned to the lineup Tuesday after leaving the previous game due to dizziness and went hitless in four at-bats.
2. San Francisco activated 1B Brandon Belt from the 10-day disabled list and optioned RHP Pierce Johnson to Triple-A Sacramento.
3. The Dodgers placed RHP John Axford on the 10-day DL with a fractured right fibula.
PREDICTION: Dodgers 6, Giants 4
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