by Ben Perks
The Dodgers and the Giants meet for the 24th time this season tonight. The holders of the two best records in Major League Baseball will play each other in this winner-take-all game. Both teams have won 109 games so far, and now the first to get to 110 wins will face the Atlanta Braves in the National League Championship Series. Get the latest odds and possible lineups for this Thursday’s MLB matchup.
The Dodgers’ 7-2 Game 4 win on Tuesday at home secured tonight’s Game 5 at Oracle Park. LA starter Walker Buehler pitched on short rest for the first time in his career and successfully led the way with 4 1/3 innings. This winner-take-all game is a fitting end to a heated rivalry that has been contested 23 times this season. Considering how close it’s been between these two MLB rivals, it comes as no surprise that online sportsbooks have given them pick’em (even) odds.
The Dodgers averaged the most runs per game in the National League this season (5.08), and they also achieved the best team-earned run average (2.98). The Giants, however, are close behind in terms of stats. Despite the Giants having the better head-to-head record (they have beaten the Dodgers 12 times in 21 meetings), the momentum looks to be with the LA side.
Possible Starting Lineups
LA Dodgers
After a solid showing in Game 4, the Dodgers will likely stay with the same lineup for Game 5. Manager Dave Roberts has already confirmed that Gavin Lux, who reached base four times in the last game, will start. Urías (20-3, 2.96 ERA) should make his second start of the postseason. The Mexican-born left-hander only allowed one run over five innings in the Game 2 win at Oracle Park.
Expected Lineup for LA Dodgers
- 1. Mookie Betts, RF
- 2. Corey Seager, SS
- 3. Trea Turner, 2B
- 4. Justin Turner, 3B
- 5. Will Smith, C
- 6. Gavin Lux, LF
- 7. Chris Taylor, CF
- 8. Cody Bellinger, 1B
- 9. Julio Urías, SP
San Francisco Giants
As many expect left-handed Urías to start for the Dodgers, the Giants will again fill their lineup with right-handed bats. Although the strategy didn’t produce the expected results in Game 2, they have several hitters who have historically crushed southpaws – since the All-Star break, The Giants have gone 11-11 against left-handed pitchers. Therefore, this still seems like the best game plan.
If selected, Logan Webb (11-3, 3.03 ERA) will become the youngest pitcher in Giants history to start a winner-take-all postseason game. Webb struck out 10 over 7 2/3 scoreless innings in an excellent performance in Game 1. Also, the Giants have not lost in Webb’s 13 starts at Oracle Park. The Californian has gone 7-0 with a 1.78 ERA over his past 14 appearances – these stats will surely interest anyone looking to place prop bets on this game.
Expected Lineup for San Francisco Giants
- 1. Darin Ruf, LF
- 2. Kris Bryant, CF
- 3. Austin Slater, RF
- 4. Buster Posey, C
- 5. Wilmer Flores, 1B
- 6. Brandon Crawford, SS
- 7. Evan Longoria, 3B
- 8. Donovan Solano, 2B
- 9. Logan Webb, SP
Team Injuries
First Dodgers’ baseman Max Muncy (dislocated left elbow) and left-hander Clayton Kershaw (left elbow pains) are sidelined. Many expect Kershaw to miss the remainder of the postseason. However, the Dodgers hope Muncy could return later this month.
As for the Giants, first baseman Brandon Belt (left thumb fracture) and veteran reliever Tony Watson (left shoulder strain) are both out. Second baseman Tommy La Stella is also nursing a tight left Achilles and will therefore probably not start against Urías on Thursday.
Previous Elimination Games Between the Dodgers and the Giants
These two rivals have faced each other before in elimination circumstances twice before in three- NL tiebreaker series in 1951 and ’62. The first meeting took place when both franchises were still based in New York. The Giants ousted the Dodgers in three games. In 1962, after both clubs had relocated to the west, San Francisco emerged victorious.
Where Can I watch the Baseball Game?
Game 5 starts at 9:07 p.m. ET/6:07 p.m. PT on Thursday at Oracle Park. You can watch it live on TBS. Also, you can access a live stream on MLB.TV with authentication.
Ben is a sports journalist & part-time trader with a passion for finding +EV bets. Ben lives in Madrid, Spain where he enjoys the live poker scene, and sunshine where he covers UFC, MLB, NHL, NBA, as well as tennis betting.
