Renee: Mookie Betts just went four-for-four with three doubles in last night’s 10-4 win over the Giants. If you think that was a fluke, you haven’t been watching baseball this season.
Joel: It wasn’t a fluke. It was a masterclass in plate discipline and launch angle optimization against San Francisco’s starting pitching. We are live on Saturday, September 20th, 2026.
Renee: Welcome to the Beatline Podcast Network! I’m Renee, joined by our lead analyst Joel. Today we’re breaking down the Dodgers’ final regular-season stretch against their division rivals. Coming up: who starts on the mound for LA, how the bullpen handles the late innings, and whether Mookie is building toward something bigger than just the NL West title.
Joel: Exactly. The Dodgers sit at 95-60, first in the NL West. The Giants are 64-91, fourth in the division. This isn't just about pride; it's about momentum heading into October.
Renee: Before we get into the heavy lifting, I want to take a quick second to talk about what makes this show possible. We’re putting out a fresh, detailed, daily episode every single day of the MLB season. That takes a lot of work—research, analysis, editing—and keeping it free for all of you requires support. If you’ve enjoyed these deep dives, please consider chipping in via the link in the episode description. Your contribution helps us keep the lights on and the insights coming. Now, let’s talk baseball.
Renee: Okay, Joel. Let’s start with the rotation. We know Shohei Ohtani is working on his swing progression but hasn’t faced live pitching yet. And Gavin Stone and Jake Cousins are still on the 60-day IL. So who do you see starting tonight?
Joel: Looking at the available arms, Tyler Glasnow seems like the logical choice if he’s recovered from whatever sidelined him recently. Remember back on September 17th, we talked about Glasnow needing to pitch six innings with two runs or fewer. He looked sharp in that series opener.
Renee: Right, and we predicted he’d help secure the clinch. Against the Giants, whose offense has struggled against high-velocity pitching, Glasnow’s stuff should play up. But what about Yoshinobu Yamamoto? Is there any chance he gets a spot start here to build rhythm?
Joel: Unlikely. Yamamoto needs consistent reps. With the playoff window so close, the Dodgers aren’t going to risk rusting off a key arm unless they’re completely locked up. Blake Snell is also a question mark given his injury history earlier this week. I’d bet on Glasnow or maybe Justin Wrobleski if they want to rest the big names for the postseason.
Renee: That makes sense. Resting the big guns. But if it’s Glasnow, can he hold the Giants off? They’re desperate for wins to avoid last place.
Joel: Desperation often leads to bad pitches. The Giants have struggled with plate discipline all year. If Glasnow commands his fastball away from right-handed hitters, he should be fine. We saw Will Smith get three hits, including a homer, last night. The offense is primed.
Renee: So, Glasnow goes six strong, Dodgers win comfortably. I’ll take that. Let’s shift gears to the heart of the lineup.
Joel: Wait, don’t forget Edwin Diaz in the bullpen. His return changes everything. We mentioned that on Friday. He’s not just a closer anymore; he’s a setup man who can eat up innings.
Renee: Absolutely. The depth is scary. Okay, segment one done on pitching. Segment two: hitting and injuries.
Joel: Stick with us, because the injury report is messy, and it impacts how Freddie Freeman lines up.
Renee: Let’s talk injuries first. Kyle Tucker is day-to-day. Dalton Rushing is on the 10-day IL. Andy Pages too. Matt Gage and Bryce Eldridge are also dealing with issues. How does this affect the everyday lineup?
Joel: It’s significant. Losing Tucker hurts defensively in right field, though Alex Call or Teoscar Hernandez can fill in. Offensively, you need that power. With Dalton Rushing and Andy Pages out, the catching depth is thin behind Will Smith and Eliezer Alfonzo. Hunter Feduccia might see time if needed.
Renee: And Willy Adames is out too? That opens up the middle infield. Tommy Edman and Miguel Rojas have been solid, but Max Muncy at third provides more power.
Joel: Exactly. Muncy’s platoon splits favor him against left-handed pitching. The Giants will likely try to mix starters to exploit those matchups. But Mookie Betts? He’s immune to that pressure right now. Four hits last night. Three doubles. He’s hitting .300-plus with elite on-base percentage.
Renee: He’s playing shortstop too, which keeps him fresh and allows Enrique Hernandez to move around. It’s versatile baseball. But Joel, do you worry about fatigue? We’re talking about a nine-game stretch here before the playoffs start.
Joel: Fatigue is real. But look at the schedule. They’re playing the Giants, who are struggling. This is a winnable series. The Dodgers can manage minutes. Give Muncy a break against a lefty. Let Teoscar Hernandez handle some load in left. The coaching staff knows how to rotate guys.
Renee: Smart management. What about the bullpen? We have Edwin Diaz, Tanner Scott, Alex Vesia, Evan Phillips. Who closes the game tonight?
Joel: If the game is close, it’s Diaz. He’s got the highest strikeout rate in the league. If it’s a blowout, they’ll use someone like Jack Dreyer or Charlie Barnes to save the arms. You don’t burn your closers in garbage time.
Renee: Fair point. But what if the Giants rally? We saw them score four runs last night. Can the bullpen handle pressure?
Joel: They’ve handled it all year. The ABS challenge system tracker shows the Dodgers as top-ranked in defensive positioning. They’re not making errors. They’re forcing swings and misses. That’s how you win tight games.
Renee: I love that stat. Defensive positioning minimizing extra-base hits. Okay, so injuries are managed, lineup is flexible, bullpen is deep. Let’s get to the bold predictions for Segment Three.
Joel: Ready when you are. What’s the call?
Renee: Here’s my prediction: The Dodgers sweep the three-game series against the Giants. We said on Friday they’d sweep it, and we’re sticking with it. 95-60 team versus a 64-91 team? It’s not even close.
Joel: I agree with the sweep, but I’m adding a twist. Mookie Betts hits another home run tonight. Two in the previous game, four hits yesterday. He’s in the zone. I predict he goes 2-for-4 with two RBIs.
Renee: Ooh, aggressive. I like it. But let’s talk about the broader picture. This series is crucial for seeding. Even though they’ve clinched the West, home-field advantage matters.
Joel: Home-field advantage is huge in the postseason. Every win counts. If they can secure the best record in the NL, they control their own destiny. The Giants are fighting for dignity, but the Dodgers are fighting for legacy.
Renee: Legacy. I love that word. What about Shohei Ohtani? Does he get an at-bat soon? Or is it too risky?
Joel: Too risky. He’s progressing, but no live pitching yet. You don’t test a healing shoulder against major league velocity until you’re 100%. Let him watch from the dugout, stay loose, and be ready for October if needed.
Renee: Prudent. Okay, so final keys to the series: Pitching depth, Mookie’s heat, and defensive efficiency. Any last thoughts on the Giants?
Joel: The Giants need a miracle to make the playoffs. Their focus is already shifting to next year. That lack of urgency is fatal against a disciplined club like LA. Expect the Dodgers to dominate the strike zone.
Renee: Dominating the zone. I’m hearing that loud and clear. Alright, Joel, wrap it up for us. What’s the takeaway for our listeners tuning in for tonight’s game?
Joel: Tune in to see if Mookie adds to his haul and if the bullpen stays shut. The Dodgers are built for this moment. Don’t miss a pitch.
Renee: Thanks for joining us on the Beatline Podcast Network! If you enjoyed this preview, please subscribe, rate, and review us on your favorite platform. Share this episode with a fellow Dodger fan. Let’s keep the momentum going!
Joel: Go Dodgers. See you next time.
Renee: This is Renee, signing off with Joel. Stay tuned for highlights after the game!