Amanda: Mookie Betts homered twice. The Dodgers went deep four times in just the eighth inning. And the final score? Eight to two against us. If you think that’s a fluke, you haven’t been watching the last week of baseball.
Paul: It wasn’t a fluke, Amanda. It was a masterclass in offensive execution against a depleted rotation and a bullpen that had nothing left in the tank. We are staring down the barrel of another tough night against the best team in baseball.
Amanda: Welcome to the Beatline Podcast Network, home of the San Francisco Giants daily show! I’m Amanda, and I’m joined by Paul. Today is Friday, September 19th, 2026. We are looking ahead to tomorrow’s contest against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Here is what we’re covering tonight: First, we break down the pitching matchup for Sunday’s series finale. Second, we talk about Bryce Eldridge’s role with the roster so thin on injuries. And third, we give our bold predictions for this final series.
Paul: That’s right. We’re 64 and 90. Fourth in the NL West. But don’t let the record fool you into thinking there’s no stakes. This is about development, it’s about how we handle pressure, and it’s about seeing if our young guys can hang with the giants of the league.
Amanda: Let’s dive right in. Segment one: The Series and the Pitching Probables. Last night, the Dodgers’ offense exploded for eight runs. Who is starting for LA tomorrow?
Paul: Well, the brief doesn’t list a probable starter for LA explicitly by name for tomorrow, but we know their ace lineup is stacked. They have depth. We have... well, we have Matt Wilkinson. He’s listed as a SP on the active roster. That’s who we’re looking at to try and stem the tide.
Amanda: Matt Wilkinson. Okay. And on our side, who is starting? Is it Yunior Marte again?
Paul: Yunior Marte is listed as a starter. So it looks like Marte on our end versus whoever LA throws out there. Given they just won 8-2, they might rest their big arm, which means we could see a mid-tier starter from their depth chart. Either way, the gap in talent is massive.
Amanda: So, Paul, when you look at Wilkinson or Marte facing an LA lineup that just hit four homers in one inning, what do you see? Do you see a battle, or do you see a clinic?
Paul: I see a steep learning curve. Mookie Betts is having a historic year. When he hits two homers in a game, it changes the entire geometry of the stadium. Our pitchers need to locate pitches perfectly. One mistake over the middle is gone. Period.
Amanda: And the Giants' pitching staff right now is not exactly deep. We’ve got Landen Roupp and Matt Wilkinson on the roster. Where does Turner Hill fit in here? Is he even available?
Paul: Turner Hill is listed as LF in the roster data, which suggests he might be playing or at least activated from the IL, but his primary value has been on the mound. If he’s playing left field, that’s one less body in the bullpen. It highlights how thin we are.
Amanda: Right. Thin. Let’s talk about the Dodgers' dominance. They are 93 and 60. First in the NL West. We are 64 and 90. How do you prepare mentally for a team that plays like they’ve already won the World Series?
Paul: You focus on your own box score. You focus on getting outs. You don’t worry about the standings. You worry about the next pitch. For our guys, especially the young ones like Jung Hoo Lee or Drew Gilbert, this is a chance to see how they perform under the brightest lights in baseball.
Amanda: But it’s also intimidating. Facing the Dodgers at home is always a challenge. What’s the key for our starters to keep the game close?
Paul: Ground balls. Low launch angles. If you fly in the air, you die. Against Betts and Ohtani—and whoever else is hitting cleanup—you cannot afford fly balls. You need to induce weak contact and hope your defense, however shuffled, makes a play.
Amanda: Okay, so ground balls only. Got it. That is Segment One. Before we move on, stick with us. Because the injuries are piling up, and we need to talk about who is actually left to play for the Giants. Stick with us.
Amanda: We are back. Segment Two: Key Hitters and Bullpen Questions. Paul, we talked about the pitching being stretched thin. Now let’s talk about the offense. Last night, Bryce Eldridge didn’t have the stats line we hoped for in that 8-2 loss. But he’s been a bright spot all season. Is he still the everyday DH?
Paul: He is. Bryce Eldridge is listed as DH. With Dalton Rushing on the 10-Day IL and Andy Pages also on the 10-Day IL, the catching and corner infield options are limited. Eldridge provides power from the right side. Even if he strikes out, his raw power forces the pitcher to respect him.
Amanda: And speaking of injuries, the list is long. Gavin Stone, Jake Cousins, Ben Casparius, Matt Gage—all on the 60-Day IL. JT Brubaker on the 15-Day. It’s a graveyard for the Giants' pitching depth. How does that impact the daily decisions?
Paul: It impacts everything. When you lose multiple arms to long-term IL stints, you aren’t just missing players; you’re missing structure. You can’t manage innings the same way. You have to go to relievers who might not be ready for high-leverage spots. It’s reactive, not proactive.
Amanda: Who is left in the bullpen? Looking at the roster, we have Philip Abner, Duncan Davitt, Jason Foley, Trent Harris, Joel Kuhnel, Anthony Molina, Cesar Perdomo, Reiver Sanmartin, Carson Seymour, Dylan Smith, Blade Tidwell. That’s a lot of names, but are any of them proven closers?
Paul: Reiver Sanmartin has experience. Jason Foley has experience. But in this specific context, against an 8-run scoring Dodgers team, none of them feel like locks. They are filling holes. If the game goes to the ninth, and we’re up by one run, I’d rather not bet my life savings on any single name from that list.
Amanda: Fair point. It’s a committee approach because they have no choice. Let’s shift to the hitters. Drew Gilbert had that huge two-run homer in the 10th against St. Louis earlier this week. He’s listed as CF. How important is his speed and contact ability in this lineup?
Paul: Crucial. Against LA, you can’t just swing for the fences every time. You need to put the ball in play. Gilbert’s ability to make contact and use the whole field is vital. If he can get on base, he creates problems for the defense. He adds a layer of chaos that power-only hitters don’t provide.
Amanda: And Jung Hoo Lee? He’s in RF. He’s been consistent. Does he have a plan for Mookie Betts, who is likely in the opposite outfield or batting near him?
Paul: Lee is a patient hitter. His OBP is key. Against LA’s velocity, Lee needs to stay disciplined. Don’t chase the slider away. Wait for the fastball down in the zone. If he can get a walk or a hit, he sets the table for Eldridge and the middle of the order.
Amanda: What about Christian Koss at shortstop? Or Osleivis Basabe at second? With the infield injuries, are these guys getting more reps than they planned for?
Paul: Absolutely. Brett Harris and Shay Whitcomb are at third. Koss and Basabe are handling the middle infield. When you have players like Marcelo Mayer on the 10-Day IL, you lose defensive stability. These guys are learning on the job. It’s messy, but it’s necessary.
Amanda: So, Paul, if you were the manager, and you’re looking at this depleted roster, what is the biggest headache you have going into tomorrow’s game?
Paul: The bullpen management. You want to save your best arms for late innings, but if the starter gets shelled early, you have no choice but to burn through your relief pitchers. And once those guys are used, you’re stuck with minors call-ups or unproven arms. It’s a trap.
Amanda: A real tightrope walk. Thanks for breaking that down. Next up, Segment Three: Keys to the Series and a Bold Prediction.
Amanda: Before we get to the prediction, I want to take a quick moment to talk to you, our listeners. We work hard every day to bring you this coverage, researching the stats, editing the audio, and keeping this feed running so you never miss a beat. Your support literally keeps us going. If you enjoy what we do, please consider chipping in via the link in the episode description. A coffee helps cover the research costs and keeps the show free for everyone. Thank you for listening!
Paul: Appreciate it. Now, let’s get to the prediction. We’re 64 and 90. The Dodgers are 93 and 60. Last night they beat us 8-2. Tomorrow is the finale. What is the bold prediction?
Amanda: I’m sticking with my guns from earlier in the week. I predicted the Giants would win at least one game in this series, 5-4, powered by Bryce Eldridge. I still believe in Eldridge. I believe in Drew Gilbert’s clutch gene. I think we steal one. I’m predicting a 5-4 Giants win. Yes, really!
Paul: Amanda, you are optimistically blind. I’m going with the reality of the roster. The Dodgers have superior depth. Their starters are sharper. Their bullpen is deeper. I predict the Dodgers win 7-2 again. They will dominate the series due to consistency and talent. There is no other logical outcome given the injury report.
Amanda: See? That’s why we need both of us! I see the heart, Paul sees the math. Tomorrow night, August 20th at Dodger Stadium—wait, September 20th! September 20th at Dodger Stadium. Who wins? Let us know in the comments.
Paul: Check the ABS challenge system tracker too. See how our umpires are doing. It matters in tight games. But yeah, expect a Dodgers win.
Amanda: Thanks for joining us on the Beatline Podcast Network. Please subscribe, rate, and review wherever you listen. Share this episode with a friend who loves the Giants. Go Giants!