San Francisco Giants Can Help Themselves and Play Spoiler vs Dodgers

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LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 23: Madison Bumgarner #40 of the San Francisco Giants throws a pitch in the second inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on September 23, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) /

Game One: Bumgarner (4-4, 2.69 ERA, 1.25 WHIP) vs. Kershaw (5-5, 2.58 ERA, 1.07 WHIP)

Of course, what would a Giants-Dodgers series be without Madison Bumgarner against Clayton Kershaw? Nothing, really.

In Bumgarner’s last outing against the Dodgers, he went six innings and gave up three runs. He struggled with his command, giving up four walks and two home runs.

Enrique Hernandez has the best career numbers, going 15-for-33 with five doubles and four home runs. Manny Machado also has a double off of Bumgarner in their lone inter-league match up.

Kershaw hasn’t been his dominant self this season, including his last start against the A’s where he only got four swinging strikes the entire game. He hasn’t been going deep into games either, which some might attribute to age or injury.

Be that as it may, in both his starts against the Giants this season he has given up no more than one earned run in each game.

As we know, Joe Panik hammered a solo shot in the fifth inning to somewhat humanize Kershaw, ultimately giving the Giants the win. Andrew McCutchen is one of the better career hitters in the lineup against Kershaw, going 10-for-33 with two doubles and a home run.

Game Two: Suarez (4-8, 4.64 ERA, 1.33 WHIP) vs. Wood (7-6, 3.58 ERA, 1.17 WHIP)

Coming off a tough game against the Pirates, Andrew Suarez will be asked to start the middle game of the series. He is seeing the Dodgers for the first time, which might give him a good opportunity to right the ship.

The Dodgers do not hit lefties well, hitting for much less power than they do against righties. Both these things bode well, however, it’s clear that Suarez is not enjoying the long season, but there may still be something left in his tank.

Alex Wood has gotten the best of the Giants two times this season, both times at home. Fortunately, Joe Panik‘s late-inning heroics deprived him of his first win of the season.

In his last start at Dodger Stadium, Wood hurled 85 pitches over 5 2/3 innings. He allowed only one earned run against the Giants after giving up four hits and two walks.

Nick Hundley and Brandon Crawford have the best career numbers against wood, and both of them are starting to heat up as of late.

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