[teejers1]

I'd give Dodgers the advantage in both SP and the bullpen.
Gausman is still shaky.  Yeah, his last start was good, but the opponent was chasing crap out of the strike zone.  The Dodgers won't do that.  I expect Gausman to struggle in Game 2, which is why tonight is particularly important for the Giants, imo.  And effing Buehler is good, too.

The recent emergence of Doval turns it for me to SF's relief pitching advantage.  Statistically speaking, SF's relievers outduel the Dodgers by 3.7 WAR to 2.8 WAR in 2021.  Dodgers have a of immense proportions lead in starting pitching WAR, 12.8 to 7.6, which included Trevor Bauer (no longer available).

Gausman gave up one run in seven innings, throwing 63 strikes in 84 pitches with 17 swing and misses against the Padres.  For the two months before that, he was good, not great.

Giants have positional WAR lead at catcher (1.5 to 1.3), 1B (1.9 to 1.1), SS (4.1 to 2.6), CF (1.0 to -1.4), RF (0.6 to 0.1) and PH (0.5 to -0.9).  Dodgers lead at 2B, 3B and LF.

The potential starting lineup from sfgiants.com:

Tommy La Stella, 2B
LaMonte Wade Jr., RF
Buster Posey, C
Brandon Crawford, SS
Darin Ruf, 1B
Kris Bryant, LF
Mike Yastrzemski, CF
Evan Longoria, 3B
Logan Webb, RHP

Doval certainly has closer's stuff (as I menioned way back when).  The question is: can he maintain calm demeanor (which translates to throwing his fastball for strikes) in playoffs?  That will be one big key for the Giants.

I have long believed that McKee does not have real closer stuff (fastball too flat); but otoh, I have my doubts about Janzen, too.  I don't think he is all that, either.

P.S.  Bryant has been a bit of a disappointment lately.  Would be great to see him get a little hot in the playoffs (but if I'm being honest, I don't expect that).  In fact, I expect the Giants will have trouble scoring (hope Dodgers do, too).

[teejers1]

I'd give Dodgers the advantage in both SP and the bullpen.
Gausman is still shaky.  Yeah, his last start was good, but the opponent was chasing crap out of the strike zone.  The Dodgers won't do that.  I expect Gausman to struggle in Game 2, which is why tonight is particularly important for the Giants, imo.  And effing Buehler is good, too.

The recent emergence of Doval turns it for me to SF's relief pitching advantage.  Statistically speaking, SF's relievers outduel the Dodgers by 3.7 WAR to 2.8 WAR in 2021.  Dodgers have a of immense proportions lead in starting pitching WAR, 12.8 to 7.6, which included Trevor Bauer (no longer available).

Gausman gave up one run in seven innings, throwing 63 strikes in 84 pitches with 17 swing and misses against the Padres.  For the two months before that, he was good, not great.

Giants have positional WAR lead at catcher (1.5 to 1.3), 1B (1.9 to 1.1), SS (4.1 to 2.6), CF (1.0 to -1.4), RF (0.6 to 0.1) and PH (0.5 to -0.9).  Dodgers lead at 2B, 3B and LF.

The potential starting lineup from sfgiants.com:

Tommy La Stella, 2B
LaMonte Wade Jr., RF
Buster Posey, C
Brandon Crawford, SS
Darin Ruf, 1B
Kris Bryant, LF
Mike Yastrzemski, CF
Evan Longoria, 3B
Logan Webb, RHP

Doval certainly has closer's stuff (as I menioned way back when).  The question is: can he maintain calm demeanor (which translates to throwing his fastball for strikes) in playoffs?  That will be one big key for the Giants.

I have long believed that McKee does not have real closer stuff (fastball too flat); but otoh, I have my doubts about Janzen, too.  I don't think he is all that, either.

P.S.  Bryant has been a bit of a disappointment lately.  Would be great to see him get a little hot in the playoffs (but if I'm being honest, I don't expect that).  In fact, I expect the Giants will have trouble scoring (hope Dodgers do, too).