Post by Commissioner Erick on Dec 9, 2019 17:37:57 GMT -5
Los Angeles Dodgers (84-71) @ San Francisco Giants (82-73)
LAD: Corey Kluber (14-9, 3.13)
SF: Matt Ruppenthal (5-5, 3.53)
It's been a wild season for the NL West, and it won't be decided until the final week. Four teams are separated by two games, including the division leading Los Angeles Dodgers and the fourth place San Francisco Giants. The Giants will look to bridge the gap today, while the Dodgers can take a commanding lead with a win. While the Dodgers have a two-game lead on the rest of the division in the loss column, they'll take their losing road-record into San Francisco. While the Dodgers struggle offensively and on the road, they'll bring perhaps the NL Cy Young winner, Corey Kluber, into the game. Kluber is a top three pitcher in ERA and strikeouts, while leading the league in WAR and walks-per-nine. His presence will be brutal for the Giants to handle, especially as they don't have a great home record. Most of the Giants hitters haven't seen Kluber too often, giving The Klubot a huge advantage. San Francisco will need its defense to play great and pitch well to edge out a close win.
Players to Watch:
Dodgers:
SS—Michael de Leon:
A defender first and only, de Leon is putting up his second straight season with negative WAR. He's hitting just .245, and since he's so impotent, pitchers are refusing to throw pitches outside the strike zone to him. He has just 19 walks to 113 strikeouts. He's also hitting just .188 against the Giants this year. Furthermore, his previously strong defense has eroded him this year. He has -7.5 ZR, third worst among major league shortstops. The Dodgers simply need more from him to make it to the finish line.
RP—Enny Romero:
After a rough season, Romero hasn't bounced back down the stretch. Homers have plagued him on the year, as he's allowed 11 in 49 innings. While he allowed only a single long ball in September, he only worked 5 innings. If the Dodgers starters can't provide length, Romero will be tasked with retiring Calvin Mitchell and Rafael Jimenez, but if the Dodgers starters can go 6 innings, Romero won't be needed.
3B—Jurickson Profar:
After a magical 2019, Profar's numbers have dropped across the board in nearly every category since then. He's hitting just .246, doesn't get on base a crazy amount, and doesn't have special power, leading to a pedestrian .689 OPS. He's hit for just a .545 OPS in September, as he's walked more than he's struck out, but with a .210 slugging mark. He has just three walks to 17 strikeouts against the Giants, with one extra base hit in 63 plate appearances. The Dodgers are counting on him to set the table, something he's done a poor job of this whole year.
Giants:
RF—Dan Cabrera:
A former first round pick of the Rays, Cabrera has gotten extensive time for the Giants in the second half, but hasn't really delivered. He's hit .234 on the year with a single homer and a single stolen base. He's gotten on base at a respectable clip at the top of the lineup, and he's played serviceable defense, but has been wholly replacement level. With Yoenis Cespedes back and healthy again, Cabrera may be relegated to the bench, but he's hit right-handers just well enough where he may get a start against Kluber.
CF—Jeison Rosario:
A spare outfielder whose only role on the Giants right now is as a defensive replacement, Rosario had a nice year in Triple-A and has some future potential. He slaps line drives all over the field, is an aggressive baserunner, and has the tools to be a game-changing defender. The fact that he's not a huge home run hitter may be fine playing in AT&T Park. Rosario may not get into today's game unless the Giants have a close lead in the ninth, but it's likely he'll get into some games next season.
RP—Justin Dunn:
A starter in the minors, Dunn has been an excellent reliever for San Francisco this season. Dunn's worked to a 3.02 ERA, striking out 94 hitters in 92.1 innings with solid walk, home run, and opponent's averages against. Dunn's been particularly murderous against righties, which makes him an interesting play today. Virtually all of the Dodgers' best hitters are left-handed, so how Dunn fares against the Dodgers will be interesting to watch, should he play. Dodgers' lefties have hit .370 off of Dunn this year, and have made up 28 of the 36 batters he's faced.
TRIVIA: Of players who have played the most first base in a season for the Giants, who had the most home runs in a year?
LAD: Corey Kluber (14-9, 3.13)
SF: Matt Ruppenthal (5-5, 3.53)
It's been a wild season for the NL West, and it won't be decided until the final week. Four teams are separated by two games, including the division leading Los Angeles Dodgers and the fourth place San Francisco Giants. The Giants will look to bridge the gap today, while the Dodgers can take a commanding lead with a win. While the Dodgers have a two-game lead on the rest of the division in the loss column, they'll take their losing road-record into San Francisco. While the Dodgers struggle offensively and on the road, they'll bring perhaps the NL Cy Young winner, Corey Kluber, into the game. Kluber is a top three pitcher in ERA and strikeouts, while leading the league in WAR and walks-per-nine. His presence will be brutal for the Giants to handle, especially as they don't have a great home record. Most of the Giants hitters haven't seen Kluber too often, giving The Klubot a huge advantage. San Francisco will need its defense to play great and pitch well to edge out a close win.
Players to Watch:
Dodgers:
SS—Michael de Leon:
A defender first and only, de Leon is putting up his second straight season with negative WAR. He's hitting just .245, and since he's so impotent, pitchers are refusing to throw pitches outside the strike zone to him. He has just 19 walks to 113 strikeouts. He's also hitting just .188 against the Giants this year. Furthermore, his previously strong defense has eroded him this year. He has -7.5 ZR, third worst among major league shortstops. The Dodgers simply need more from him to make it to the finish line.
RP—Enny Romero:
After a rough season, Romero hasn't bounced back down the stretch. Homers have plagued him on the year, as he's allowed 11 in 49 innings. While he allowed only a single long ball in September, he only worked 5 innings. If the Dodgers starters can't provide length, Romero will be tasked with retiring Calvin Mitchell and Rafael Jimenez, but if the Dodgers starters can go 6 innings, Romero won't be needed.
3B—Jurickson Profar:
After a magical 2019, Profar's numbers have dropped across the board in nearly every category since then. He's hitting just .246, doesn't get on base a crazy amount, and doesn't have special power, leading to a pedestrian .689 OPS. He's hit for just a .545 OPS in September, as he's walked more than he's struck out, but with a .210 slugging mark. He has just three walks to 17 strikeouts against the Giants, with one extra base hit in 63 plate appearances. The Dodgers are counting on him to set the table, something he's done a poor job of this whole year.
Giants:
RF—Dan Cabrera:
A former first round pick of the Rays, Cabrera has gotten extensive time for the Giants in the second half, but hasn't really delivered. He's hit .234 on the year with a single homer and a single stolen base. He's gotten on base at a respectable clip at the top of the lineup, and he's played serviceable defense, but has been wholly replacement level. With Yoenis Cespedes back and healthy again, Cabrera may be relegated to the bench, but he's hit right-handers just well enough where he may get a start against Kluber.
CF—Jeison Rosario:
A spare outfielder whose only role on the Giants right now is as a defensive replacement, Rosario had a nice year in Triple-A and has some future potential. He slaps line drives all over the field, is an aggressive baserunner, and has the tools to be a game-changing defender. The fact that he's not a huge home run hitter may be fine playing in AT&T Park. Rosario may not get into today's game unless the Giants have a close lead in the ninth, but it's likely he'll get into some games next season.
RP—Justin Dunn:
A starter in the minors, Dunn has been an excellent reliever for San Francisco this season. Dunn's worked to a 3.02 ERA, striking out 94 hitters in 92.1 innings with solid walk, home run, and opponent's averages against. Dunn's been particularly murderous against righties, which makes him an interesting play today. Virtually all of the Dodgers' best hitters are left-handed, so how Dunn fares against the Dodgers will be interesting to watch, should he play. Dodgers' lefties have hit .370 off of Dunn this year, and have made up 28 of the 36 batters he's faced.
TRIVIA: Of players who have played the most first base in a season for the Giants, who had the most home runs in a year?