Series Preview: Dodgers open rivalry series in San Francisco against Giants

Yoshinobu Yamamoto brings a 2.10 ERA into the opener, built on command and weak contact rather than overpowering stuff. He’s controlled innings, limited damage, and kept opposing lineups from stringing together rallies — something the Giants have struggled to do.

Shohei Ohtani follows with a 0.50 ERA, continuing to dominate on both sides of the game. On the mound, he’s been efficient and aggressive in the zone. At the plate, he enters the series on a 52-game on-base streak, a stretch defined by consistency more than flash. He’s dictating the pace of games whether he’s hitting or pitching.

Behind them, the Dodgers’ depth continues to surface.

Dalton Rushing has become impossible to ignore. Seven home runs in 27 at-bats. A .444 average. A 1.760 OPS. His production doesn’t just add length to the lineup, it changes how pitchers approach the bottom third of it.

Max Muncy has anchored the middle. Eight home runs on the season, including a dominant stretch in Colorado where he collected 10 hits in the series. The power has come mostly in solo shots, but the quality of his at-bats has been consistent, controlling counts and creating pressure.

Thursday’s matchup adds another layer with Tyler Glasnow. His most recent outing — seven innings, two hits, one run, seven strikeouts — showed a level of control that’s elevated his ceiling. He leaned on his fastball and curveball mix and handled conditions that have affected him in the past. If that version holds, the Dodgers’ rotation becomes even more difficult to navigate.

Giants (9-13, 4th in NL West)

The Giants enter this series still searching for consistency.

There have been flashes, but not sustained production. Heliot Ramos may have provided a turning point, breaking through with his first home run of the season and showing improved discipline at the plate. If that holds, it gives San Francisco a needed spark in the middle of the lineup.

But the larger issue remains situational hitting.

An 0-for-11 performance with runners in scoring position in their most recent game highlights the problem. The Giants can create opportunities. They’ve shown that. What they haven’t done is finish innings. Against a Dodgers staff that limits free chances, missed opportunities don’t linger — they decide games.

There are contributors.

Matt Chapman has delivered in key spots. Willy Adames continues to provide extra-base production. But the lineup hasn’t clicked collectively. It’s been isolated success rather than sustained pressure, and against this rotation, that’s not enough.

On the mound, Logan Webb’s early struggles are a concern. A 5.40 ERA doesn’t fully capture it. He’s been hit harder than usual, particularly by left-handed hitters, and hasn’t consistently controlled the lower half of the zone. Defensive lapses behind him have only made things worse, extending innings that should be over.

When Webb is right, he generates weak contact and keeps games manageable. When he’s not, those same pitches get elevated — and punished. Against a Dodgers lineup that thrives on mistakes, that margin becomes thin quickly.

Pitching Probables

Tuesday, April 21: Yoshinobu Yamamoto (2-1, 2.10 ERA) vs. Landen Roupp (3-1, 2.38 ERA)

Wednesday, April 22: Shohei Ohtani (2-0, 0.5 ERA) vs. Tyler Mahle (0-3, 7.23 ERA)

Thursday, April 23: Tyler Glasnow (2-0, 3.24 ERA) vs. Logan Webb (2-2, 5.40 ERA)

Injury Report

Dodgers

Day-to-day: None

10-day IL: Mookie Betts, Tommy Edman

15-day IL: Ben Casparius, Edwin Díaz, Brusdar Graterol, Landon Knack, Brock Stewart, Blake Snell

60-day IL: Jake Cousins, Kiké Hernández, Bobby Miller, Evan Phillips, Gavin Stone

Giants

Day-to-day: None

10-day IL: Harrison Bader, Jared Oliva

15-day IL: José Buttó, Sam Hentges, Joel Peguero

60-day IL: Hayden Birdsong, Jason Foley, Randy Rodriguez, Reiver Sanmartin, Rowan Wick