The Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Francisco Giants meet in game one of their three-game NL West division series from Oracle Park on Friday.

Dodgers Playing Out The String

The Los Angeles Dodgers only have pride and momentum to play for here as they’re entrenched in the #2 spot in the National League with the Braves locking up the best record in baseball thanks to the Dodgers’ 14-5 loss to the Rockies on Thursday. The loss dropped the Dodgers to 98-61 on the year as a result. Mookie Betts leads the Dodgers with 39 home runs in addition to 106 RBIs while Max Muncy is right alongside with 36 homers of his own and 105 RBIs. J.D. Martinez has 32 home runs to go along with 100 RBIs while Freddie Freeman has a team-high 207 hits, 101 RBIs, a .331 batting average and a .410 OBP in addition to 28 homers and 58 doubles this season. Lance Lynn is expected to start here and is 12-11 with a 5.83 ERA and 187 strikeouts this season.

Giants Trying To Finish .500

The San Francisco Giants are playing for pride here and are just trying to grab some good vibes at a division rival’s expense to try to finish the year .500. The Giants are currently at 78-81 on the year after a 5-2 loss in Wednesday’s series finale against the San Diego Padres. Wilmer Flores leads the Giants with 22 home runs this season while J.D. Davis has 18 home runs and Michael Conforto has 15 dingers with Davis posting 119 hits and a team-high 69 RBIs as well. Conforto has 58 RBIs and LaMonte Wade Jr. has a .261 batting average and a .377 OBP this season. Thairo Estrada leads the Giants with 133 hits and a .275 batting average this season. Keaton Winn will start for the Giants here and is 1-2 with a 3.89 ERA and 30 strikeouts this season.

Chris’ Pick

I’m looking at the Dodgers here. I thought Lance Lynn was struggling more than he has been lately, and the Dodgers, despite whatever issues Lynn has had, have been able to pick him up offensively as Los Angeles is 8-2 as a team in Lynn’s 10 starts for them. Winn is a nice piece for the future for the Giants for sure, but I just think the Dodgers are the better team right now and as such, I’ll back them for the win here.