L.A. Dodgers (3-1) at San Francisco (3-1)
When: Friday, April 8th 2016
Where: AT&T Park, San Francisco, CA
Time: 10:15 ET | TV: SportsNet LA, NBC Bay Area
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The Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants continue their early season battle in game two of a four-game series in San Francisco. Tonight’s contest will feature the number five starters in the rotation before Saturday night’s big Bumgarner/Kershaw showdown. The Dodgers came into this series by shutting out the Padres in all three games and scoring 25 runs in the process. They faced a much deeper lineup yesterday and the Giants came through big time with a 12-6 victory thanks to Hunter Pence’s grand slam in the bottom of the 8th inning to break-open a one run game. Joc Pederson’s 2-run bomb in the top of the inning made the game interesting until Pence’s salami. The Giants have now won nine of the last 11 meetings at AT&T Park. The Dodgers have 10 players on the disabled list but hope to have catcher Yasmani Grandal (forearm) and second baseman Howie Kendrick (calf) back for next Tuesday’s home opener. Buster Posey will probably sit this one out tonight according to reports.
Pitchers: Dodgers – Ross Stripling (MLB debut) vs. Giants – Matt Cain (2015: 2-4, 5.79)
The Dodgers will turn to rookie Ross Stripling in what is a little bit of a surprise. Carlos Frias and Zach Lee were the favorites during spring training to get the 5th spot in the rotation, but instead Stripling will make his Major League debut. Stripling missed the part of last two seasons due to Tommy John surgery on his right arm and has never pitched over Double-A. He posted a 4.09 ERA in 11 innings this spring.
Matt Cain will start for the Giants who has been limited to a total of 28 starts and 151 innings over the last two seasons due to injury. He ended the spring by allowing three runs (one earned) over five innings against Oakland. Cain had surgery to remove a cyst from his upper right arm in late February and ended camp with a 1-2 mark and 7.71 ERA in three starts. Chase Utley is 9-for-27 with four homers against him and Cain is 5-11 with a 3.49 ERA in 30 career starts against the Dodgers.
This is a really tough spot for a rookie to be making his debut especially after the Giants scored 12 yesterday. Cain will probably get hit around a little, but the Giants should be able to pull this one out and the price is low enough to take with confidence.
Pick: Giants -121
