Giants at Dodgers 7/24/20 - MLB Picks & Predictions

The San Francisco Giants play their second game of the 2020 MLB regular season on Friday when they visit the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium in Chavez Ravine. The Giants opened the regular season on Thursday against the Dodgers. San Francisco must play the regular season without veteran catcher Buster Posey, who has decided not to play because of the coronavirus outbreak. The 2020 season for the Giants will be characterized by a rebuild under new manager Gabe Kapler.

Young stars Mike Yastrzemski, Mauricio Dubon and pitcher Dereck Rodriguez are the top players beginning the season healthy for the Giants. The future looks bright for the Giants as they have five prospects that were ranked by many baseball pundits in the top 100 including Joey Bart, Marco Luciano, Heliot Ramos, Hunter Bishop and Seth Curry. Jeff Samardziga will start on the mound for the Giants on Friday. Last season, the right-hander was 11-12 with an ERA of 3.52, 140 Ks and 49 BBs.

The defending National League West Division champion Los Angeles Dodgers’ possess one of baseball’s best lineups from top to bottom. With Mookie Betts, Gavin Lux, Max Muncy, Justin Turner, Cody Bellinger, Corey Seager, AJ Pollock, Joc Pederson and Will Smith the Dodgers will have one of the most feared batting orders from top to bottom in the National League. The universal designated hitter rule for 2020 will give Los Angeles an even big advantage at the plate.

The Dodgers starting rotation includes Clayton Kershaw, who threw on opening night Thursday, Walker Buehler, Alex Wood, Julio Urias and Ross Stripling. Kenley Jansen is the closer once again for the Dodgers while Pedro Baez and Blake Treinen will be the setup pitchers and Joe Kelly, Adam Kolarek and Scott Alexander will share time as middle relievers. Ross Stripling will start on the mound Friday for the Dodgers. Last season the right-hander was 4-4 with an ERA of 3.47, 93 Ks and 20 BBs.