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The Los Angeles Dodgers finished up the weekend by winning a series against the Miami Marlins. They seem to have moved on from their lengthy skid after two consecutive series wins which puts them at 4-1 in their last 5 games. However, the 2 wins came at the expense of the Mariners and Marlins so maybe that’s not a great sign yet. They will take on the Diamondbacks in a four game series and end the weekend in San Francisco to take on the Giants.
Buehler and Bumgarner set to start the week off
Buehler and Bumgarner will open up the series in what is sure to be a great pitching matchup. Bumgarner has not been lights up like we have grown accustomed to but his 4.12 ERA is okay. Buehler sports a 3.45 ERA on the season which is also higher than what we have been used to seeing from him. He is still undefeated on the season but he also only has one win. He was scheduled to start on Sunday but was scratched off for a more favorable matchup against division rivals.
Dodgers sending their best against the Diamondbacks
Urias will take the mound in game two and Kershaw in game three which puts the Dodgers in excellent position to win the series. They’ll finish off the series with Bauer on the mound on Thursday. The Diamondbacks have not announced who will be starting besides game one so it remains to be seen how the matchups align. The Dodgers will at least look for the series win but will definitely welcome a 4 game sweep against division rivals.
The Diamondbacks are 3-7 in their last 10 games so they face a tough task in trying to reverse their luck against the Dodgers. The Giants on the other hand are 6-4 in their last 10 games and sit atop the NL West. They are currently 2 games above the Dodgers and have been the surprise team of the year by being able to hold off National League favorites, San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers, until mid-May.
First real test for the Giants comes against the Dodgers
The real test for the Dodgers and the Giants will be when they face each other at the end of the week. The Dodgers will look to send Gonsolin, if he makes it back from the IL, on Friday. Then they will follow up with Buehler and Kershaw for games 2 and 3. This series will mark the first matchup of the year so it will be the first time we can gauge whether the Giants can hold off the Dodgers.