The Los Angeles Dodgers are eager to see Mookie Betts rediscover his rhythm and hope Yoshinobu Yamamoto can finally notch his first career win against the San Francisco Giants.
That opportunity arrives Tuesday night as the National League West rivals continue their three-game set at Dodger Stadium.
The Giants carried their winning streak to two games while pushing the Dodgers’ losing skid to three after a dominant 9-3 victory in Monday’s series opener.
Fresh off a 13-hit, 7-6 extra-inning win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday, San Francisco’s offense stayed hot by tagging six Dodgers pitchers for 12 hits on Monday.
Rafael Devers, who collected four hits in the three-game series against Pittsburgh, added two more—including a home run—in Los Angeles. His batting average now sits at .240, its highest since April 2.
Giants manager Tony Vitello praised not just Devers’ hits but also his patience at the plate, highlighting a bases-loaded, full-count walk drawn by the slugger.
“When you’re taking good pitches and making quality swings, the percentages say you’re going to be productive, no matter who you are,” Vitello said. “That applies to Raffy tonight.”
Devers, who scored three runs and drove in two in the series opener, looks to build on that momentum against Yamamoto. The Japanese right-hander has held Devers to just one hit and one walk in 12 career plate appearances.
That lone hit came when the Giants handed Yamamoto (3-2, 3.09 ERA) one of his two losses this season, a 3-1 victory on April 21. In that outing, Yamamoto allowed three runs and six hits over seven innings, dropping his career record against San Francisco to 0-2 with a 3.19 ERA over six starts.
San Francisco took two of three from the two-time defending World Series champions in that series.
Yamamoto didn’t have Betts available for offensive support in that April game. The shortstop returned from a five-week absence due to a strained right oblique and went 1-for-5 with a strikeout in Monday’s loss.
The perennial All-Star told reporters before the game that he feels fully recovered and ready to contribute.
“I just want to go out and help the team win, whatever it takes,” Betts said. “I’m in a really good spot; everything’s pretty normal now.”
Betts has faced Giants scheduled starter Adrian Houser (0-4, 6.19 ERA) eight times in his career, going 2-for-7 with a walk and a strikeout.
Houser has earned only one win in seven starts this season, though he pitched well last time out, holding the San Diego Padres to one earned run on three hits over six innings in a 5-1 loss on Wednesday.
The 33-year-old is winless against the Dodgers in his career, posting an 0-3 record with a 12.34 ERA across three starts.
