The 2-5 San Francisco Giants take on the 5-3 Los Angeles Dodgers in game 1 of their series 10:10 pm EST in a long standing rivalry of National League west foes.
TV: Giants – KNTV, Dodgers – PRIME, On the Net – MLB.tv
Radio: Giants – KNBR 680, KIQI, Dodgers -KABC 790, KHJ 930 . As always you can catch all games on MLB Game Day Audio.
Here’s a closer fantasy look at the game of the day!
Probable Giants starting pitcher: RHP Matt Cain (1-0, 1.29 ERA in 2009)
From Matt Becker of STATS - Lack of offense was something that plagued Cain all of last season, as his 3.14 run-support average was second-lowest in the majors.
He hopes his first outing of 2009 is a sign of things to come. Cain allowed one run and four hits in seven innings of a 7-1 win over Milwaukee on Thursday.
“That’s definitely a great way to start off the season,” Cain told the Giants’ official Web site. “Got a long ways to go. Just kind of keep it running that way.”
San Francisco’s offense hasn’t done much since then, though.
The Giants had six hits Monday and are batting .211 (27-for-128) with eight runs during their losing streak. They were 30-for-100 and had scored 19 runs in their first three games.
Probable Dodgers starting pitcher: LHP Clayton Kershaw (0-0, 1.80 ERA in 2009)
According to SPORTS NETWORK - The Dodgers will sent out a quality young pitcher of their own tonight in Clayton Kershaw. The second-year phenom was strong in his season debut last Thursday in San Diego, although he failed to get a decision in an eventual 4-3 LA loss. Kershaw pitched the first five innings of that game and gave up one run on just two hits while fanning six.
The 21-year-old, a first-round pick of the Dodgers in 2006, made 21 starts and one relief appearance as a rookie last year and posted a 5-5 record with a 4.26 ERA. His only matchup against San Francisco came in relief last September, with Kershaw throwing a scoreless inning in that outing.
Fantasy pitching studs for the Giants: SP Tim Lincecum won the Cy Young last year and they don’t get any more studly than him right now, even with his rough start last week. Tonight starting pitcher Matt Cain is also a stud. Once SP Madison Bumgarner joins them, this should be an amazing rotation for several years.
Who’s hot: SP Matt Cain and Closer Brian Wilson. Cain struck out 5 and walked none in his 1 run 7 inning outing to start the season. Wilson has been perfect in his 2 apperances out of the pen.
Who’s not: SP Tim Lincecum, SP Randy Johnson, and SP Jonathan Sanchez. It’s been ugly for the trio, not lasting over 4 innings a game for any of them.
Worth keeping an eye on: SP Jonathan Sanchez. As I’ve said before, Sanchez may not come with a lot of wins this season, but will come with a lot of innings and strikeouts, while having a decent era and whip. He should be pushing the levels of the studs, and will be greatly under valued.
Fantasy pitching studs for the Dodgers: SP Chad Billingsley, SP Clayton Kershaw, and Closer Jonathan Broxton. Broxton could push Papelbon levels this season, while Kershaw may not be viewed by many as a stud yet – he is.
Who’s hot: Billingsley. He tossed 7 innings of 1 run ball, while striking out 11 and walking none on Monday. That’s impressive. RP Ronald Belisario hs been impressive. He’s got a hold and 8 k’s while walking just 1 and giving up 2 hits in 4.2 innings. Who is this guy?
Who’s not: Rookie SP/RP James McDonald. McDonald should have a fine career with the dodgers, but right now he’s sporting a 19.29 era after 1 start. Not a way to keep Joe Torre happy.
Worth keeping an eye on: SP Randy Wolf. He’s looking pretty decent after 2 starts, posting 8 k’s in 12.1 innings and 3.65 era. While he’s owned in most deeper leagues, if he can stay healthy and effective, he should be owned in all leagues.
OF Importance: Tonight marks the 62nd anniversary of Robinson’s breaking of baseball color barrier when he took the field for the Dodgers, who were based in Brooklyn at the time, against the Boston Braves on April 15, 1947.
KEY STAT: Matt Cain is 0-6 against the Dodgers despite a somewhat decent 4.06 ERA in 11 starts. These bitter rivals split 18 meetings a year ago, with the Dodgers claiming a 5-4 edge in the nine games played in Los Angeles.
CONNECTIONS: Dodgers SP Randy Wolf played with Giants OF Aaron Rowand in 2006 with the Phillies. Dodgers OFManny Ramirez and Giants SS Edgar Renteria played together on the 2005 Red Sox. Dodgers 2B Orlando Hudson and Giants SP Randy Johnson played for the Diamondbacks in 2007 and 2008.
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