The Los Angeles Dodgers, after losing two of three games in San Diego, are gearing up to face the San Francisco Giants with Yoshinobu Yamamoto ready to make his ninth start of the season Monday. With a record of 27-15, the Dodgers are leading the National League West by 5.5 games, behind only the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League. Even after Sunday’s 4-0 loss, the Dodgers hold a strong plus-74 run differential.
Since 2019, the Dodgers have a 52-31 head-to-head record against the Giants, including one series sweep already this season. At Oracle Park, the Dodgers have won 12 of their last 15 games.
Sunday, the Dodgers’ lineup was shut down by San Diego’s Yu Darvish and a Padre bullpen that yielded just four hits. Mookie Betts led the way with two hits, including a double. On the pitcher’s mound, Walker Buehler took his first loss of the season, allowing three earned runs in just over three innings. The bullpen held its own with 4.2 innings of one-run ball.
Shohei Ohtani was held out for a second consecutive game Sunday due to back tightness, but will return to the lineup Monday. He’s been instrumental to a Dodgers offense that leads the National League in several categories, including batting average (.261), runs (220), and hits (373-tied).
Yamamoto will be key to the Dodgers’ hopes of getting ahead in the series. Since his rough season-opening start in Seoul, South Korea, Yamamoto has rebounded strongly (4-0, 1.76 ERA). His recent performance suggests better things are in store for the rookie 25-year-old as the season progresses.
— Doug McKain (@DMAC_LA) May 7, 2024Dave Roberts on how important Ryan Yarbrough is to the Dodgers:
"Ryan's been great. He hasn't seen the field for a week, and he hasn't missed a beat, so to go out there and give us three scoreless. He's that Swiss army knife that every team needs. Yarbs is invaluable." pic.twitter.com/naf0DCENPZ
The Dodgers’ bullpen and starters have collectively held their ground since April 21. Their MLB-best 1.05 ERA has been led by surprising individual performances such as Ryan Yarbrough and Alex Vesia, who haven’t allowed an earned run during this stretch.
