La Dodgers Dodgers vs San Francisco Giants Picks and Predictions July 25th 2024

Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw Set for Season Debut vs. Giants

The home fans are supposed to be in full thunder Thursday evening when Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw makes his 2024 presentation as the Dodgers complete a four-game series against the San Francisco Giants.

Kershaw’s Process Back

Kershaw missed the initial four months of the mission after offseason shoulder a medical procedure, the strategy tending to a physical issue that impacted him all through 2023. Regardless of the uneasiness, and with a recognizable decrease in speed, Kershaw amassed a 13-5 record and a 2.46 ERA in 24 beginnings last year.

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Everything made up for lost time to him in the initial round of the National League Division Series against the Arizona Diamondbacks, when Kershaw surrendered six runs and didn’t get first inning. The Diamondbacks utilized the energy to procure a three-game range.

Not able to allow his celebrated Dodgers to profession end negatively, Kershaw marked a one-year arrangement to get back to Los Angeles for his seventeenth season at age 36.

Manager’s Perspective

“With Clayton, he is on tilt in the sense that he is just overjoyed to get to participate again,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “I think it’s going to be emotional for him, I really do, to just get back to playing. I’ll keep an eye on him. I might have a little conversation (with him), but he’s been through it so many times. I think we all just really want him to pitch well.”

Kershaw’s Record Against the Giants

Kershaw’s 59 outings and 57 starts against San Francisco are his most against any team. He is 26-16 against the Giants in his career with a 2.01 ERA and has 402 strikeouts in 393 1/3 innings.

Dodgers’ Recent Performance

The Dodgers saw their five-game series of wins end on Wednesday with a 8-3 misfortune against the Giants. Matt Chapman homered and drove in two runs for San Francisco, while Heliot Ramos and Mike Yastrzemski likewise drove in a couple of runs.

Los Angeles didn’t have a hit in that frame of mind against Giants left-hander Robbie Beam, who was making his initial beginning in 16 months. Chris Taylor recorded the Dodgers’ previously hit with two outs in the seventh inning yet left the game with a crotch injury.

Giants’ Rotation Update

The Giants will give the ball on Thursday to right-hander Logan Webb (7-8, 3.59), who was moved up in the rotation this week. In three starts against the Dodgers this season, Webb is 1-1 with a 3.78 ERA. Webb is 4-6 with a 3.92 ERA in 15 career starts vs. Los Angeles.

Standout Performances

San Francisco rookie Tyler Fitzgerald saw his five-game homer streak come to an end Wednesday, but he still had a double and scored the Giants’ go-ahead run in the fourth inning. Following Ray, four Giants relievers held the Dodgers to two runs on five hits over four innings.

Rookie Contributions

“It’s the name on the back that takes the mound for a game and you just gain confidence from,” Melvin said about Ray leading the way Wednesday. “We’ve been waiting for this for a while, and I know he was pretty pumped up about being in there.”
Giants rookie left-hander Erik Miller struck out Shohei Ohtani again Wednesday, giving him five strikeouts against the Dodgers’ star in five career at-bats.

Conclusion

Clayton Kershaw’s return to the mound is set to be a significant moment for both him and the Dodgers. As they face the Giants, fans and teammates alike will be watching closely, hoping for a successful and emotional comeback for the veteran pitcher.