First pitch 9:10 PM ET (6:10 PM PT)
Venue: Dodger Stadium (UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium), Los Angeles, CA
TV: SportsNet LA / NBCS Bay Area
This is the middle game of a three-game series between longtime rivals. The Dodgers, already NL West champions and chasing the best record in the majors (trailing Milwaukee by a couple of games entering the weekend), rolled to an 8-2 win in the series opener on Friday behind multiple home runs, including two from Mookie Betts. The Giants are playing out the string in a difficult season and looking to play spoiler with a depleted roster.
Starting Pitchers
San Francisco: RHP Yunior Marte (0-0, 2.45 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 9 K in 14.2 IP). The 23-year-old Dominican prospect (6’6″, high-90s fastball with slider/splitter) made his MLB debut in late August and has shown promise in limited big-league action (one start and relief appearances). He faces a steep challenge against a potent Dodgers lineup in his first look at this level of competition in a high-profile setting.
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Los Angeles: LHP Tarik Skubal (10-7, 2.70 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 173 K in 146.2 IP). The elite left-hander has been outstanding overall (strong FIP, elite strikeout-to-walk rates) and is coming off a dominant scoreless outing. Acquired midseason, he has thrived with the Dodgers and ranks among the top starters in the league.
Skubal holds a massive edge in experience, stuff, and recent form.
Current Weather Forecast
Clear to partly cloudy evening conditions at Dodger Stadium. Temperatures in the low-to-mid 70s°F around first pitch (cooling from daytime highs in the upper 70s to mid-80s), light winds (around 5 mph), low humidity relative to many parks, and essentially no chance of precipitation. Excellent baseball weather with a slight potential boost to fly balls depending on exact wind direction.
Injury Reports
Giants (heavily depleted): Rafael Devers (60-day IL, abdomen/core – season-ending), Willy Adames (10-day, elbow), Marcelo Mayer (10-day, forearm), Matt Chapman (60-day), Casey Schmitt (60-day), Logan Webb (15-day, finger), plus numerous other pitchers and position players on the IL (Harrison Bader, Keaton Winn, etc.). Bryce Eldridge has been day-to-day (head).
Dodgers: Shohei Ohtani (15-day IL, biceps – progressing but not yet activated), Andy Pages (10-day, hand), Dalton Rushing (10-day, elbow), Roki Sasaki (15-day, finger), plus longer-term absences for several pitchers (Gavin Stone, etc.). Blake Snell has been day-to-day (groin). The lineup remains deep even without Ohtani.
Key Roster Notes and Projected Contributors
Giants: Relying on Jung Hoo Lee (solid average and contact), younger/less experienced bats, and whatever depth is available amid the injury cascade. Offense has been inconsistent all year.
Dodgers: Mookie Betts (leadoff, multi-homer capability), Freddie Freeman, Kyle Tucker (recent power surge), Max Muncy, Will Smith, Teoscar Hernández, and supporting pieces like Miguel Rojas or others. High-powered lineup with speed and power even in Ohtani’s absence.
Key Player vs. Player Matchups
Tarik Skubal vs. Giants lineup (Lee and remaining hitters): Skubal’s elite fastball/changeup/slider mix and low walk rate should dominate a depleted, righty-heavy or overall struggling Giants attack. Giants hit poorly vs. lefties as a group this season.
Yunior Marte vs. Betts / Freeman / Tucker / Muncy: The young right-hander’s limited experience will be tested by one of the best lineups in baseball. Command and limiting hard contact early will be critical; Dodgers lefties and power bats pose major threats.
Baserunning and defense: Dodgers’ athleticism (Betts, Tucker) vs. Giants’ thinner defensive options.
Bullpens: Dodgers have more high-leverage depth available despite some absences.
Recent Team Forms
Giants: 5-5 in their last 10 but overall poor (especially on the road). Lost the series opener 8-2 and have struggled to score consistently amid injuries.
Dodgers: Strong recent stretch (7-3 in last 10 entering the series, winners of the Friday opener). Excellent home record and one of the top offenses and pitching staffs in MLB. Chasing the best overall record.
Series History
The Dodgers have dominated the rivalry in recent seasons, especially at Dodger Stadium. The clubs have split some earlier 2026 meetings, but Los Angeles holds the clear edge overall and in home games. Friday’s 8-2 win continued the trend of Dodgers power displays against San Francisco.
Game Odds
San Francisco Giants 7.5
Los Angeles Dodgers – 385
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, September 18, 2026
