Dodgers Preview: LA Hopes to End First Half on High Note in San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO, CA— After losing back-to-back series and dropping their sixth game in a row, their longest losing streak since the 2019 season, the Los Angeles Dodgers head to San Francisco for a three-game series to end the first half of the 2025 regular season.

Despite the skid, the Dodgers remain first in the competitive National League West with a five-game lead over the Giants and another half game ahead of the San Diego Padres.

The main issues for Los Angeles have been the offense, particularly with their top MVP trio of Mookie Betts, Shohei Ohtani, and Freddie Freeman, who have not been hitting well in July.

While not great, the Dodgers’ starting rotation has gotten some production out of their pitchers with nearly the whole gang back after the activation of Tyler Glasnow on Wednesday.

Still, the Dodgers’ bullpen has continued to work more than any other unit in the sport, and after another blown save by Tanner Scott and a loss put on Kirby Yates, the Dodgers are left with more questions than answers.

The Dodgers, who once held a season-high nine-game lead at the end of June, have seen it shrink over the last two weeks, primarily due to the Giants’ winning ways this month.

San Francisco has won six of their last ten games, including a series win over the National League East-leading Philadelphia Phillies.

So far, the Giants are 6-3 in July; however, since acquiring Rafael Devers in a blockbuster trade with the Boston Red Sox on June 15th, the team is just 10-12, with the three-time American League All-Star hitting .225/.344/.363 for a .706 OPS.

In their previous meeting, the Dodgers took care of business at Dodger Stadium, taking two of three to push their division lead.

Now, heading into the break, the Dodgers will look to end the first half on a high note and push the lead even further.

Pitching match-ups

Game One: Dustin May (5-5, 4.52 ERA) vs Logan Webb (LHP) (8-6, 2.62 ERA)

Game Two: Shohei Ohtani (0-0, 1.50 ERA) vs Landen Roupp (6-5, 3.39 ERA)

Game Three: Yoshinobu Yamamoto (8-7, 2.77 ERA) vs Robbie Ray (LHP) (9-3, 2.63 ERA)

Game Times

Game One: 7:15 PM PT, SportsNet LA, NBC Bay Area, MLB Network (out-of-market-only)

Game Two: 1:05 PM PT, SportsNet LA, NBC Bay Area

Game Three: 1:05 PM PT, Roku

Who’s in & who’s out?

During the Dodgers’ three-game series in Milwaukee, the team activated right-handed pitcher Tyler Glasnow off the 60-day injured list.

However, to make room on the roster for Glasnow, the Dodgers transferred right-hander Michael Kopech to the 60-day injured list. The earliest activation date for Kopech is now August 27th.

Lefty Blake Snell made his first rehab appearance with the Rancho Quakes yesterday, tossing two scoreless innings and collecting four punchouts.

On Wednesday, veteran right-handed relief pitcher Blake Treinen also began his rehab assignment, tossing a scoreless first inning with two strikeouts.

Kiké Hernández is the latest position player to join the injured list after experiencing left elbow pain. The pain was so significant that it affected the utilityman’s swing, which prompted the Dodgers to place him on the injured list.

Hernández received a cortisone shot and should return shortly after the All-Star break, per Dodgers manager Dave Roberts.

Another Hernández that has been sidelined is Teoscar, who has been dealing with a foot issue. However, while the team considered placing Teo on the injured list, they opted not to, and he is expected to return to the lineup for Game One of this series, according to Roberts.

Tommy Edman has also been dealing with a fractured left pinkie toe but was in the lineup at second base during Wednesday’s series finale versus the Brewers.

10-day Injured List (2): Max Muncy, Kiké Hernández

15-day Injured List (00):

60-day Injured List (11): Roki Sasaki, Tony Gonsolin, Michael Kopech, Blake Snell, Brusdar Graterol, Michael Grove, Gavin Stone, River Ryan, Kyle Hurt, Blake Treinen, Evan Phillips

As for the Giants, they’ve been tame on the injury side of the ball this season.

Lefty Erik Miller was shut down from throwing due to a left elbow sprain. The Giants expect him to return late in the second half, but will continue to rehab and receive treatment, and is set to be reevaluated after the All-Star break.

Infielder Christian Koss is also set to miss this series after suffering a left hamstring strain at the beginning of the month.

Utilityman Jerar Encarnacion is also set to miss an extended period due to a left oblique strain, but did take batting practice at Oracle Park on July 7th and will continue to increase his hitting progression this weekend.

10-day Injured List (2): Jerar Encarnacion, Christian Koss

15-day Injured List (1): Erik Miller

60-day Injured List (1): Tom Murphy

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