Giants vs Dodgers Game Preview: San Francisco Fading Down the Stretch
Little to No Room for Error: San Francisco in NL Playoff Race

With little to no room for error, the San Francisco Giants will open a four-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday (10:10 p.m. ET). It’s the first of seven games between the National League West rivals over the next 10 days.
San Francisco is 4-2 against Los Angeles this MLB season, but it’s the Dodgers who have a commanding edge in the standings. Los Angeles is -1.5 (+114) on the run line and a -180 favorite to win outright Thursday, while San Francisco is +1.5 (-135) ATS and +150 on the moneyline. The projected total is 9, with the Over juiced to plus money (+100 Over, -120 Under).
Read on as we break down the MLB matchup in our Giants vs Dodgers game preview.
San Francisco Giants at Los Angeles Dodgers 
Day/Time:
Location: Dodger Stadium; Los Angeles
Probables: Kyle Harrison (1-1, 5.18 ERA) vs Emmet Sheehan (3-1, 5.44)
Betting Trends
The Los Angeles Dodgers have covered the spread in 57% of their games, the third highest rate in MLB behind the Cincinnati Reds (60.4%) and Baltimore Orioles (59.9%). Conversely, the San Francisco Giants have done so at a 44.7% clip, the third lowest rate. The Dodgers have also hit the Over more often (60.1%) than anyone in baseball. That’s important to remember when assessing the odds in our Giants vs Dodgers game preview.
That’s (Almost) a Wrap for San Francisco
After staying in the thick of the National League playoff race for most of the season, the San Francisco Giants have begun to fade.
After dropping four of their last five games, the Giants (76-76) are now 3.0 games out of the wild card. More importantly, there’s still two teams standing between them and the third and final spot. With only 10 games remaining in the regular season, it’s likely too much ground to make up. Oddsmakers seem to agree, as the Giants have been taken off the NL playoff oddsboard.
With All-Star Alex Cobb on the 15-day injured list with a left hip impingement, rookie left-hander Kyle Harrison was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento to start. Harrison is the Giants’ top prospect, ranked No. 20 overall per MLB Pipeline, but carries a 5.18 ERA through his first 24.1 innings in the bigs.
Regardless, it feels as if San Francisco has already squandered its playoff chances. The Giants are just 27-35 since the All-Star break, causing them to fall 17.5 games behind the Dodgers in the current MLB standings. There are many reasons for the Giants’ second-half collapse, but you can start with their lineup, which ranks bottom 10 in runs scored (655) and batting average (.240).
All Eyes on October for LA
The Los Angeles Dodgers have already checked one big item on their to-do list, clinching the NL West title for the 10th time in 11 seasons. Now, with 12 regular-season games remaining, Los Angeles’ focus is squarely on preparing for the postseason.
At 93-58, the Dodgers are on the shortlist of contenders for World Series. They’re +200 to win the NL pennant — the Atlanta Braves are currently the favorite at +125 — and +450 to win it all.
The Dodgers, fueled by MVP candidates Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman, rank second in the majors in both runs (851) and homers (237). They’ve outscored opponents by a whopping 189 runs per MLB scores, and they’re showing no signs of slowing down.
Rookie right-hander Emmet Sheehan will draw the start in Thursday’s opener. Sheehan has recorded a 5.44 ERA over his first 11 appearances (nine starts). But he faced San Francisco in his MLB debut on June 16 and was brilliant, no-hitting the Giants for six innings in a 7-5, 11-inning loss.
Handicapping the Game
The Giants‘ backs are against the wall. They essentially have to win out to have a shot at the postseason, and even that might not be enough. In other words, don’t count on it.
The Dodgers, on the other hand, have already locked up a berth. They could opt to rest some starters down the stretch, making them a risky proposition on which to bet. That said, they sure wouldn’t mind knocking out their rivals once and for all. In that sense, it’s best to side with Los Angeles to cover the odds in our Giants vs Dodgers game preview.
For MLB predictions, betting odds, analysis and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.
Can’t get enough? Here’s more!
- Red Sox vs Rangers Betting Preview: Can Eovaldi Curb September Struggles?
- American League Showdown: Orioles vs Astros Preview
- Wildcard Showdown: Giants at Diamondbacks
- Twins vs Reds Game Preview: Reds Closing Ground on Wild Card Berth
- Orioles vs Guardians Game Preview: Orioles Look For More Success Away from Home