Wednesday’s action-packed MLB slate culminates with an NL West showdown between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park.
Los Angeles (16–7, 1st NL West) is tied for the top record in baseball, though it has lost three of its last four games — splitting a four-game set with the Rockies before dropping the series opener with the Giants, 3–1. San Francisco (10–13, 4th NL West) has won four of its last five, finally gaining some steam under first-year skipper Tony Vitello.
Looking at the pitching probables, we’ve got Dodgers superstar right-hander Shohei Ohtani taking on Giants righty Tyler Mahle.
First pitch is set for 9:45 p.m. ET. Los Angeles enters as a 1.5-run road favorite with -207 moneyline odds on DraftKings Sportsbook. San Francisco sits as a +169 underdog, with the total set at O/U eight runs.
Dodgers vs. Giants Preview
Los Angeles Dodgers
Who would have guessed that the Dodgers would be baseball’s most formidable squad in 2026? The star-studded, back-to-back World Series champions are certainly living up to their reputation, tied for the sport’s top record while leading MLB in virtually every offensive metric. That list includes — though is not limited to — batting average (.286), home runs (42), wOBA (.377), OPS (.856), and wRC+ (138).
LA’s pitching has also been lethal early on, sporting the league’s sixth-lowest ERA (3.41) and fifth-best FIP (3.55). A driving force in the club’s run prevention has been superstar right-hander Shohei Ohtani — a four-time MVP who has seemingly turned his sights toward the Cy Young. Through his first three starts, the Japanese phenom boasts a 0.50 ERA (2.30 xERA) with a 0.72 WHIP and 18 strikeouts across 18 innings. He’s coming off a six-inning, ten-strikeout masterclass against the Mets.
San Francisco Giants
The Giants came home with momentum after a strong finish to their road trip and carried it into Tuesday’s win over the Dodgers. Still, the club has plenty of ground to cover in Tony Vitello’s maiden voyage at the helm.
Pitching has been the least of San Francisco’s worries, though it hasn’t necessarily been a strength. While the bullpen has been strong, Giants starters sit in MLB’s bottom ten for both ERA (4.42) and xERA (4.51). One of the main culprits has been right-hander Tyler Mahle, who has pitched to the tune of a 7.23 ERA (7.17 xERA) and a 1.93 WHIP — with one of the highest barrel rates in the sport — through his first four turns. He just got tagged for eight earned runs over four frames against the Reds, coughing up five walks and four home runs.
But the club’s pitching woes look like their greatest asset compared to their lifeless offense. The Giants sit 25th leaguewide in wRC+ (84), 29th in runs scored (78), and dead last in home runs (13). They’re desperately awaiting a spark from star slugger Rafael Devers, whose OPS sits at a deflating .577 through his first 23 games of 2026.
Dodgers vs. Giants Pick, Best Bet
While the Giants took Game 1 of the series, expect the Dodgers to bounce back with Shohei Ohtani on the bump. The two-way superstar should dice up San Francisco’s stalling offense, while the Dodgers lineup — himself included — provides plenty of run support en route to a spread-covering victory at Oracle Park.
