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San Francisco Giants Can Help Themselves and Play Spoiler vs Dodgers

Nick Vezmar|
LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 16: Austin Barnes #15 of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on as Alen Hanson #19 of the San Francisco Giants hits a sacrifice fly to score Mac Williamson #51 of the San Francisco Giants in the fifth inning of the game at Dodger Stadium on June 16, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 16: Austin Barnes #15 of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on as Alen Hanson #19 of the San Francisco Giants hits a sacrifice fly to score Mac Williamson #51 of the San Francisco Giants in the fifth inning of the game at Dodger Stadium on June 16, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
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San Francisco Giants
LOS ANGELES, CA – JUNE 15: Derek Holland #45 of the San Francisco Giants pitches to the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning at Dodger Stadium on June 15, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Game Three: Holland (6-8, 3.97 ERA, 1.28 WHIP) vs. Ryu (3-0. 2.12 ERA, 0.88 WHIP)

I say it time and time again, but Derek Holland is still impressing the hell out of me. The 31-year-old veteran benefited from a lot of run support in his last start on Friday, after going 6 1/3 innings and giving up 4 earned runs.

The Giants won three straight starts with Holland, and look to build onto that in the getaway game.

However, Holland has yet to win a game against the Dodgers on the road, which might not work well in his favor.

Newly acquired Brian Dozier has a good career line against Holland, stemming off their matchup in the American League.

Hyun-Jin Ryu is making his first start since May 2, when he departed early with a left groin strain. He saw the Giants in his limited starts this season, going 5 2/3 innings while giving up two runs. Before his departure, the Dodgers were 4-2 when Ryu has started this season.

Buster Posey and Hunter Pence have some pretty solid career numbers against Ryu, although Pence will likely not be starting in many games going forward.

Beating LA … for real this time

The Giants offense was all over the place this weekend, scoring 18 runs in their first two games. They then proceeded to get shutout in the third game and got some key hits and runs in the last game of the series.

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Twenty-two runs over four games sounds great, but only when it’s evenly distributed. The Giants need to focus on scoring runs on a consistent basis, as that has always been a challenge. Getting hits with runners in scoring position, again, is a glaring issue.

Not only that, but the bullpen has become a major concern. Although had it not been for Evan Longoria‘s error yesterday, the bullpen did fairly well in the final game against the Pirates. But even in their last two wins at home, the Pirates kept clawing back and the Giant’s bullpen obliged. K

ey guys like Will Smith, Tony Watson and Reyes Moronta need to keep it together if the Giants have any hopes of putting the Dodgers away.

The Giants biggest struggles also plague the Dodgers. They have had a lot of issues closing games out, and getting the key hits they need to pull ahead.

Both teams have issues hitting lefties, and of course, every game will feature a left-handed starter match up.

Getting our starters deep into games, and getting in the Dodgers bullpen is the goal for the Giants this series.

Two-out-of-three seems pretty reasonable before they head to Cincinnati, but don’t expect the Dodgers to roll over.

While the Dodgers have two solid lefties returning from the disabled list, the Giants see the return of Brandon Belt this series. Chase d’Arnaud is day-to-day for the time being, but his bat should help the Giants out.

Either way, this series will be a telltale as to whether or not the Giants have a fighting chance at the postseason.

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