The Giants had their way with Walker Buehler in Game 1. They’ll get a chance to do the same in Game 4, but have made a few minor tweaks this time around.
The primary change is swapping Wilmer Flores for Darin Ruf at first base and in the two spot. Ruf is 3-for-7 vs. Buehler this season, and is rested. He did not play in Monday’s Game 3 victory.
The other change is a swap of Evan Longoria and Mike Yastrzemski in the seven and eight spot.
Buehler got out-dueled by Logan Webb in Game 1, but has been stellar against the Giants this season, posting a 2.49 ERA in seven starts including the one he made on Friday at Oracle Park. In that game, both Buster Posey and Kris Bryant homered off the right-hander, two swings that were responsible for the three earned runs Buehler conceded.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts had initially announced that Tony Gonsolin would likely start Game 4, but made a tweak to Buehler in the do-or-die game. Buehler will face Anthony DeSclafani, who despite having a stellar year (3.17 ERA, 1.09 WHIP) overall, has struggled mightily against the Dodgers going 7.33 ERA in six starts.
Those looking at the glass half full will point to DeSclafani’s final start vs. LA, when he tossed six shutout innings and allowed just two hits on September 3 at Oracle Park
Here’s the Giants’ lineup:
- Tommy La Stella – 2B
- Darin Ruf – 1B
- Brandon Crawford – SS
- Buster Posey – C
- Kris Bryant – RF
- LaMonte Wade Jr – LF
- Evan Longoria – 3B
- Mike Yastrzemski – CF
- Anthony DeSclafani – RHP
