If it's extremely important to win Game 1 of a 5 games series then it's critical to win Game 1 of a 3 game series and that's what the split of Games 1 and 2 in San Francisco created here. Whoever loses tonight faces 2 consecutive elimination games. Not that the Giants are unfamiliar with that territory. I've lost track of how many elimination games they won in their 3 championship runs but still, they'd much rather the Dodgers face that situation than them.
The Giants send Alex Wood LHP to the mound. Wood had a strong year for the Giants and finished the season strong. In 3 starts after coming of the COVID IL list, he allowed 2 runs in 13 IP while striking out 17 with 0 BB's. In his final start against the D'Backs he stretched out to 6 IP of shutout ball. So I'm happy with Alex Wood starting. He gives the Giants as much of a chance to win as anyone Kap could put out there. The one caution is the Dodgers lineup used to be heavily lefthanded but with Max Muncy injured and Joc Pederson and Alex Verdugo long gone and Cody Bellinger having a terrible, injury plagued year, the Dodgers are now much more of a RH hitting lineup. I mean, their 3, 4 and 5 hitters agains RHP's were Trea Turner, Justin Turner and Will Smith, all very good RH batters with Mookie Betts another great RH batter at the top of the lineup. So, Alex Wood better have that back foot slider and changeup working, and working early.
On the other side, Max Scherzer RHP gave up 10 runs in 10.2 IP over his last two regular season starts and was shaky in in the Wild Card game although he gave up just 1 run in 5+ IP. If Alex Wood can hold the line for 5-6 innings, the Giants lineup has a chance to scratch out a run or two off Mad Max or even a little more. We'll just hope Kap isn't tempted to use Zach Littell RHP in a high leverage situation. He's given up something like 5 HR's to the first batter he's faced this season. Dominic Leone RHP seems like he's might be out of gas too. The winning formula for the pitching might be for Wood to go 6 followed by Tyler Rogers RHP and Jake McGee LHP in the 7'th and 8'th depending on where they are in the Dodgers lineup with Camilo Doval RHP taking the ninth for a glorious Save. If he needs to go to the pen earlier, I might favor Kervin Castro RHP over Littell and Leone.
Dodgers announce that Albert Pujols will start at 1st with Bellinger on the bench. Maybe the Giants will benefit with Pujol's limited defensive range on first. Don't know Giants starting lineup yet. Righties and lefties league-wide have a pretty much even OPS against Scherzer. (righties had a .682 OPS against him, lefties had a .674 OPS) Be interesting to see the Giants lineup.
ReplyDeleteAgreed, Kap should bring in their top bullpen arms early to keep the game close. Might be a good idea to manage unconventional in the post season. Bochy was the master at making the right moves in the post season.
ReplyDeleteRight now, Leone and Littel should each be last options. Castro and Doval are each excellent pitchers and should get the nod over the others. McGee and Rogers have been solid, as well. Here's hoping trends continue and Scherzer and Wood continue their recent trajectories. Hope the Giants jump on Scherzer early and often.
ReplyDeleteWow nice job laying out Kapler's pitching plans for the night.
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