Giants @ Dodgers September 5, 2022: Magic number down to 9 as the week begins

Having won another series over the Padres, the Dodgers (92-41) enter their final home series of the season against the Giants, who are somehow 8 games out of a Wild Card spot. Coming off a sweep of the Phillies, the Giants sit at 64-68 after going on a 2-11 stretch between Aug. 17 and Aug. 31.

The Dodgers have won 10 of 13 meetings against the Giants this season, and have won eight straight since being swept in San Francisco on June 10 to 12. As I mentioned back when the Dodgers played the Giants earlier this month, they are closing in on the franchise record of 10 consecutive wins set back in 1953.

The Dodgers have won 8 straight games against the Giants, tied for the longest win streak by either team in the rivalry since they both moved to California in 1958.

All 8 wins have come by multiple runs. pic.twitter.com/9t1H7jc8yj

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) August 4, 2022

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	7:10 PM		Los Angeles
CF	Brinson	2B	Betts
2B	Flores	SS	Turner
DH	Davis	1B	Freeman (L)
3B	Longoria	3B	Muncy (L)
LF	Estrada	RF	Thompson
SS	Crawford (L)	LF	Gallo (L)
C	Wynns	DH	Vargas
1B	Villar	CF	Bellinger (L)
RF	Johnson (S)	C	Barnes
P	Webb (R)	P	Heaney (L)

While the Giants stacked their order with plenty of right-handed batters, Heaney’s splits this season haven’t been too significant. Against 52 lefties, Heaney is at .234/.294/.319 with a .275 wOBA and a 2.22 xFIP while 146 righties is currently at .200/.281/.423 with a .307 wOBA and a 3.06 xFIP. The biggest difference is the 7 homers allowed to righties versus 0 for lefties as the K% (35.6% to 34.6%) is just barely better to righties and the BB% (5.8% to 6.2%) is just ahead to lefties.

Mookie Betts gets another start at second base with Trayce Thompson in right and Joey Gallo in left. Gavin Lux remains out of the lineup, with Will Smith, Justin Turner and Chris Taylor all on the bench tonight.

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As for roster updates, the Dodgers swapped out one pitcher for another.

Bruihl is added to the roster. Ryan Pepiot goes back to OKC

— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) September 5, 2022

I believe that’s Ryan Pepiot‘s fifth time being optioned which means he would be exposed to waivers if they do it again.

While Jake Reed was claimed off of waivers by Baltimore, the Dodgers added another reliever to their organizational depth.

The transactions log says the Dodgers signed Keone Kela to a minor league deal on Aug. 31. That date is relevant — Kela can technically still be added to a postseason roster (explained within the link). https://t.co/APR8cRWlOI

— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) September 5, 2022

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As for many of those who are injured:

Roberts said he's also been getting very positive updates on Tommy Kahnle's rehab assignment. His next outing with OKC will be tomorrow

— Jack Harris (@ByJackHarris) September 6, 2022

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First pitch is at 7:10 PM PDT on SportsNet LA.