Dodgers vs. Giants In Game 2 NLDS: Live Updates, News, Score

SAN FRANCISCO – It might not technically be a must-have, but tonight’s game is definitely not one the Dodgers can afford to lose.

Cody Bellinger said so ahead of NLDS Game 2, in which the Dodgers will look to level their best-of-five streak against the Giants after losing 4-0 on Friday.

“We knew it was going to be tough,” Bellinger said. “We have been in this situation several times before. We just have to go out and mind our own business. If we do this, everything will be fine. “

Before the first pitch, here’s everything you need to know ahead of tonight’s game.

First pitch: 6:07 p.m. PDT.

TV: TBS

Queues :

Dodgers Notes: Southpaw Julio Urías will take over, hoping his strong regular season can continue into the playoffs.

In his first full year as a full-time member of the starting rotation, Urías recorded a 2.96 ERA and the top 20 major league wins in 32 starts.

That included five starts against the Giants, more than any other team Urias has faced this year. Four of those outings were impressive, Urías pitched at least 5 2/3 innings and allowed just two runs. In the other, however, the Giants beat Urías by seven points (won six) in five innings on May 29.

Still, in 29 1/3 innings against the Giants overall, Urías had a 3.38 ERA and notably gave up just three walks and three homers while striking out 33 batters.

“We have a good knowledge of Julio,” Giants manager Gabe Kapler said, while also noting: “We are simplifying our approach against all pitchers in general, and these are hunting grounds we can drive on and do. damage, being particularly assertive on them, then being comfortable with a patient approach against terrains we cannot drive.

Urías also ended the season on a high note, pitching five white innings in Arizona on September 26 before limiting the Brewers to a single run in 6 1/3 innings last Saturday. On this final start, Urias’s field speed also rebounded after a three-game drop, with his fastball returning to an average speed of 94.7 mph.

While most of Urias’ career playoff experience has been in the bullpen, he has had some success in a few starts last October. In Game 3 of the NLCS, he limited the Braves to one run in five innings. In Game 4 of the World Series, he allowed just two runs in 4 2/3 innings against the Rays.

For tonight, manager Dave Roberts has identified the opening round as particularly important.

“I know Julio is going to be ready,” said Roberts. “[The Giants] doing a really good job in the first run… So stopping the first run and potentially setting up a run in the top would help.

At home plate, the Dodgers made a roster change, inserting Chris Taylor into centerfield and moving Bellinger to first base – Roberts explaining the team was willing to sacrifice an outfield defense in order to get Taylor’s bat. in alignment.

A move the team didn’t: AJ Pollock remains in left field, while Gavin Lux will come off the bench again.

Despite a strong regular season in which he hit .297 and hit 21 home runs, Pollock is 0-for-6 in the playoffs. Lux, meanwhile, finished the season as one of the Dodgers’ best hitters, batting 0.360 in his last 17 games.

When asked why the team stayed with Pollock in the roster, Roberts referred to the veteran’s “body of work” during the season in relation to Lux’s small-sample success at the end.

Roberts also highlighted the ability to get Lux and his compatriot left-hander Matt Beaty – who was pulled from the roster in favor of right-hander Taylor – off the bench for specific clashes.

Giants Notes: During the first half of the season, Kevin Gausman emerged as the Giants’ best starter, won his first career All-Star selection, and entered the Midsummer Classic as one of the Cy Young favorites of the National League.

For most of the second half it was a different story for the 30-year-old right-hander.

In 13 starts between July 19 and September 21, he had a 5.04 ERA – increasing his season mark by more than a full point – and only passed the five-set mark four times.

On the mound, he lost the sense of his trademark separator. And behind the scenes, he faced personal adversity after his wife was hospitalized in July with pregnancy complications (she has since given birth without problems).

” It was hard. It was a chore. But that’s what baseball is, ”Gausman said. “You have to kind of expect that at some point in the season something will happen that you haven’t taken into account and you have to be able to adjust.”

Adjust Gausman did, ending the regular season with impressive back-to-back outings against the Rockies and Padres, allowing just two runs in 13 combined innings to end the season with a career-best 2.81 ERA.

The big difference: Gausman’s divider returned to form, once again creating a dominant punch with his fastball in mid 90 mph.

“It’s a really good pitch,” Bellinger said of Gausman’s divider. “Throws him well with his fastpitch.”

Roberts said the key for the Dodgers hitters on Saturday night will be attacking Gausman in the zone and preparing for his other pitch, a slider – especially after Friday starter Logan Webb shuffled more side throws than he did. habit against the formation of the Dodgers.

“When he’s on his knees and down, it doesn’t bode well for the offense,” said Roberts. “He has to throw some shots and we have to be able to stay in the strike zone. “

The Giants made several changes to their roster against left-handed Urías, including right-handed hitters Darin Ruf, Austin Slater and Donovan Solano. Shortstop Brandon Crawford is the only left-handed hitter in the Giants roster.

A potentially relevant statistic for Saturday: The Giants as a team have been hitting a little worse against left-handed pitchers this year (their percentage on basis plus shots was 26 points higher against right-handed) and were only 27-20 in matches started by left-handers, as opposed to 80-35 against right-handers.