Renee: Kiké Hernández leading off the ninth with a tiebreaking homer to lift the Dodgers over the Giants, 4-3. That was Saturday night. And now? We’re right back in San Francisco for the final game of this series, and the stakes have shifted dramatically.
Joel: It’s a pivotal moment for Los Angeles. The Dodgers sit at 99-62, firmly first in the NL West, but they are navigating one of the most depleted rosters in baseball right now. Injuries are piling up, and the playoff rotation is being managed with extreme caution.
Renee: Welcome to the Beatline Podcast Network! I’m Renee, and I’m joined by my analyst partner Joel. Today we are previewing tonight’s matchup between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Francisco Giants. We’ve got three big things coming up: who is on the mound for this finale, how the bullpen is looking after that late-night drama, and what injuries might keep key guys out of the lineup.
Joel: That’s right. If you listened to yesterday’s show, you know we were talking about Tarik Skubal’s dominant shutout performance. But today, we need to look at the current state of affairs. The Giants are trying to end their skid against us, but the Dodgers are fighting through a massive injury list. Let’s dive into the pitching matchup first.
Renee: So, let’s get straight to it. Who is starting for the Dodgers tonight? We know Tyler Glasnow started Game One to preserve Shohei Ohtani, and Skubal threw seven innings yesterday. Is there any chance Ohtani gets the call again?
Joel: Absolutely not. Look, I love Ohtani as much as anyone, but his workload is critical heading into October. He hasn’t pitched in a start yet this series, and throwing another high-leverage inning or two would be reckless. The Dodgers are protecting their ace for the playoffs. No way he takes the bump tonight.
Renee: Fair point. So if it’s not Ohtani, and Skubal just went seven strong, who’s left in the rotation? We know Gavin Stone, Jake Cousins, Ben Casparius, Brusdar Graterol, and Matt Gage are all on the 60-day IL. That’s a hole.
Joel: It is a huge hole. The injury report is brutal. On top of those six guys on the 60, we have Edgardo Henriquez on the 15-day, JT Brubaker on the 15-day, and Willy Adames and Nate Furman on the 10-day. Osleivis Basabe is day-to-day. It’s a logistical nightmare for Dave Roberts.
Renee: Wow. So with Stone, Cousins, Casparius, Graterol, and Gage gone, and Henriquez and Brubaker sidelined, who is actually available to start? Is it going to be someone like Kris Bubic or maybe Justin Wrobleski?
Joel: It’s likely one of the remaining arms. We have Roki Sasaki, Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Tarik Skubal still in the mix. Since Skubal and Glasnow have already thrown, and Snell and Yamamoto are part of the planned playoff rotation, it might come down to keeping someone fresh. But realistically, if they need a starter tonight, they might lean on a long reliever or a spot starter from the minors if called up.
Renee: That’s terrifying to think about. A spot starter in September? Okay, let’s talk about the other side. The Giants are 65-95, fourth in the NL West. They’re playing spoiler, but they’re also desperate. How do you scout a team that’s been losing to you lately?
Joel: Desperation makes teams aggressive. The Giants are trying to end their skid. They’ll likely bring their best available arm, whoever that may be. For the Dodgers, the key is not getting frustrated. If the starter struggles early, don’t panic. Trust the defense. Freeman at first, Betts at short—this group can make plays that save innings.
Renee: Right. And we saw that resilience last night. Kiké Hernández hit that tiebreaking home run leading off the ninth. That’s the kind of clutch hitting you want in a playoff prep game. Do you think the pressure of the final weekend affects how these guys approach each at-bat?
Joel: I think it sharpens focus. These guys have been here before. Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Shohei Ohtani—they know exactly what’s on the line. The Giants, on the other hand, are eliminated from contention. Their motivation is purely pride and ending a bad streak. That can be unpredictable.
Renee: Okay, so we’ve got the pitching puzzle. Now let’s shift gears to the offense. With the lineup mostly healthy except for those bench pieces, who are the guys you’re watching tonight? Teoscar Hernandez and Andy Pages had big homers yesterday.
Joel: Teoscar and Andy are definitely hot. But I’m more interested in the middle of the order. Freddie Freeman is always reliable, especially against left-handed pitching. And Max Muncy? If he’s in the lineup, he’s a power threat. The Dodgers need consistent production from the center of the bat to support whatever shaky starting pitching situation they might face.
Renee: What about Enrique Hernandez? He played third base yesterday, right? Is he locking down that spot, or are we seeing platoon splits with Muncy?
Joel: Enrique has been versatile, but Muncy provides the raw power. If the Giants are bringing a lefty, Muncy is probably the better choice. If it’s a righty, Enrique’s contact skills and defensive flexibility might give him the edge. It’s a classic managerial dilemma. Roberts will look at the scouting report closely.
Renee: And then there’s the elephant in the room: the bullpen. We mentioned earlier that Blake Treinen suffered a season-ending shoulder injury while warming up in the bullpen last night. That’s a massive blow.
Joel: It’s devastating. Treinen was an experienced arm, even if he wasn’t his old self. Losing him for the postseason means the Dodgers are thinner than ever. You’ve got Edwin Diaz, Tanner Scott, Alex Vesia, Charlie Barnes, Jack Dreyer, Evan Phillips, Brock Stewart, and Cole Irvin. That’s a lot of names, but very few proven closers.
Renee: Edwin Diaz is still there, though. He’s elite. Do you think he’s the go-to guy for save opportunities, or are they splitting duties?
Joel: Diaz is the clear closer when healthy. But you have to manage his workload carefully. If he throws multiple innings tonight, you need to know he’s ready for Game One of the playoffs. It’s a balancing act. I wouldn’t be surprised if they use him in high-leverage spots rather than just saving runs.
Renee: That’s a smart strategy. Protect the asset. But what if the game goes to extra innings? With so many guys on the IL, do they have enough bodies to survive a marathon?
Joel: If it goes deep, they’ll have to get creative. Maybe they use a position player as a pitcher? Or rely heavily on the starters to go further than expected. It’s risky, but it’s the reality of their current roster construction. They need luck on their side tonight.
Renee: Speaking of luck, let’s take a quick break to check in with our listeners. If these daily breakdowns are part of your morning routine or commute, a small contribution is what keeps this show free and running every single day. Please consider chipping in via the link in the episode description. Your support helps us keep delivering deep dives like this without ads or paywalls. Thank you for listening!
Joel: Thanks for that. Okay, let’s wrap this up with the keys to the series. What do the Dodgers need to do to win tonight and head into the playoffs with momentum?
Renee: First, execute. No wasted pitches. Second, defend. The Giants will try to score cheap runs with speed and bunts. Third, trust the bullpen, even if it’s untested. Joel, what’s your bold prediction for this game?
Joel: I predict the Dodgers win 5-2. They’ll get good starting pitching, maybe from a surprise arm, and the offense will capitalize on Giants’ errors. Mookie Betts will have a multi-hit game, and Edwin Diaz will close it out cleanly.
Renee: Bold! I like it. I think the Dodgers pull it off, but it’ll be ugly. Lots of walks, some nervous moments. But ultimately, talent wins out. Thanks for joining us on the Beatline Podcast Network.
Joel: Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review us wherever you listen. Share this episode with a fellow Dodger fan. Let’s keep the momentum going into October.
Renee: Up the Dods! See you next time!