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He is out of the starting lineup, so it would be understandable if Mauricio Dubon wanted to transform back to his Capital Christian self, maybe trade his own jersey for Brandon Crawford’s and join the party in the stands.
“It’s Dodgers-Giants,” said the Honduras native, who came to Sacramento as a teenager and idolized the Giants shortstop. “Especially now that we’re going to have more people, the city’s open now. King Street is going to be popping.”
Less than a mile away, the Warriors will be fighting for their playoff lives at Chase Center. Giants fans sitting in socially distanced sections no longer have to show proof of a negative test, which was a large barrier to plenty attending games at Oracle Park.
“The doors of our restaurants and bars are open for business,” Mayor London Breed wrote in a tweet earlier Friday. “This city is coming alive again.”
It’s a cause for celebration, but that celebration would be amplified if the Giants play well against the reigning World Series champions.
This will be Gabe Kapler’s first taste of the rivalry with fans in attendance; they went 4-6 against the Dodgers last year in front of cardboard cutouts who treated the Southern California enemies rather politely.
Granted, the Giants are a process- and detail-orientated team that tries to bring the same attitude to every game and every series. But yes, they do realize what a matchup means with the only National League team that has a better run differential.
“There’s plenty of energy in the clubhouse. I imagine there’s going to be plenty of energy in the dugout,” Kapler said over Zoom. “We’ve had spirited discussions about how we can be the best club that we can be through this series, but in particular for this first game.”
With the Giants still not sure about who will start Saturday’s game, this first game is especially important and especially intriguing. Former Dodger Alex Wood and his 1.75 ERA will face off against reigning Cy Young winner (and Wood’s former Reds teammate) Trevor Bauer and his 2.20 ERA.
Wood will be amped and working quickly, and Bauer brings a polarizing act in his first glimpse of Giants-Dodgers.
“Bauer is extremely smart. He is extremely motivated and … he wants to be the best, and he’s got the stuff to make that happen,” Kapler said. “He’s at the top of his game right now, and we have to be ready to combat that.”
Combating that will be a lefty-heavy lineup with only Buster Posey (hitting second) and Donovan Solano (seventh) representing righty bats.
Most notable for the Dodgers’ lineup is their cleanup hitter. They don’t have Cody Bellinger or Corey Seager, both lost to injury, but Mookie Betts, Chris Taylor and Justin Turner are atop the order. And fourth is Albert Pujols, playing first a game after his first home run with his new club.
“Anytime you can get a quality bat like Albert Pujols and he fits on your roster, I think it makes sense to take a good, long look,” Kapler said after the future Hall of Famer was waived by the Angels in the final year of his megadeal. “He’s been so productive for so many years. Obviously watched his swings last night — still very dangerous in the batter’s box.”
Dubon likely will be needed later in the game, but he should have a few innings to be a fan, to root for Crawford yet again — he will again be using a glove that bears Crawford’s name.
“We’re playing good baseball, they’re playing good baseball,” Dubon said. “It’s gonna be fun.”