Dodgers @ Giants September 4, 2021: Dodgers face a bullpen game for a change

The Dodgers got another quality effort in a bullpen game yesterday, as 11 pitchers combined to hold the Giants to eight hits and three runs (only one earned) over 10 2/3 innings. However, that didn’t end up mattering once again as the Dodger bats only mustered two runs in 11 innings and didn’t score a run until there were two outs in the ninth inning.

#Dodgers have won 10 of their past 14 games but are batting just .203 as a team during that stretch (.184 with RISP), averaging 3.4 runs per game. Pitchers have allowed just 40 runs

— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) September 4, 2021

The wins are good, but it’s a bit troubling to see the offense look so unthreatening for much of the game. Couple that with a rotation being held together by three pitchers and some bubble gum, and it’s not exactly a recipe for success over the final month of the season. The loss sent the Dodgers back to second place, but now they’ll face a pair of bullpen games as they look to leave San Francisco back in first place.

	6:05 PM		San Francisco
2B	T. Turner	LF	Ruf
1B	Muncy (L)	RF	Bryant
RF	Betts	CF	Slater
3B	J. Turner	3B	Longoria
SS	Seager (L)	C	Posey
LF	Pollock	1B	Belt (L)
CF	Taylor	2B	Estrada
C	Smith	SS	Dubón
P	Urias (L)	P	Jackson (R)

Julio Urias makes his 27th start of the season tonight for the Dodgers. He’s been excellent of late, allowing two or fewer earned runs in each of his last seven starts. Last time out against the Braves, Urias allowed a pair of solo homers over six innings en route to his league-leading 15th win of the season. The Dodgers are 20-6 when Urias starts, but are only 1-3 in his four starts against the Giants. Urias has had back-to-back starts against the Giants twice this season. In May, Urias held the Giants to two runs and three hits over six innings up in San Francisco. He followed that up with his worst start of the season, as he allowed six earned runs (seven total runs) and 11 hits over five innings in LA. Urias fared better against the Giants in July, posting back-to-back one-run outings, the first of which was over seven innings and the latter over 5 2/3. However, the Dodgers lost both of those games.

The Giants are starting Jay Jackson today. Jackson has appeared in the Majors in 2015, 2019 and now 2021 for a combined 51 1/3 innings. He’s made 18 appearances for the Giants this season, allowing 11 hits and six runs in 16 2/3 innings. He pitched in relief against the Dodgers twice in July and threw two combined perfect innings, striking out four of the six batters he’s faced. Jackson has topped out at 27 pitches this season. I haven’t seen any definitive bulk guy for the Giants today, but they have two left-handed bulk options in Shed Long and the newly acquired Jose Quintana.

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David Price was scratched from pitching yesterday, but was not placed in the IL.

David Price is feeling a bit better and is active “until he’s not,” Dave Roberts said.

— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) September 4, 2021

Aren’t we all, Dave.

The Dodgers are fortunately not down to two healthy starters.

Max Scherzer threw his scheduled bullpen session.

"He feels good and he'll be ready to make his start on Monday," Dave Roberts said.

— Matthew Moreno (@Matthew__Moreno) September 4, 2021

Max Scherzer came out of his last start early with a hamstring issue, but is on track to start Monday in St. Louis.

Clayton Kershaw is taking the next step.

Dave Roberts said Clayton Kershaw’s rehab assignment will be Tuesday for @okc_dodgers. Likely 3 innings

— Eric Stephen (@ericstephen) September 4, 2021

Kershaw came out of his sim game healthy and will have his first rehab start Tuesday for Triple A OKC. He’s scheduled to throw three innings.

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First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 PM PDT and will be shown on Sportsnet LA.