Dream11 Fantasy Baseball: Giants at Dodgers

San Francisco Giants (1-2) at Los Angeles Dodgers (2-1)

Sunday, July 26th, 10:08 PM (EDT)

Projected starters

LHP Drew Smyly (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs LHP Julio Urias (0-0, 0.00 ERA)

Game Preview

The Giants avoided the sweep with a Saturday win over the Dodgers, but Los Angeles won the first two games of the series and depend on themselves to start the 2020 campaign with a series win. The Dodgers have based their strength on their bats, as they have averaged a league-best 7.00 runs per game through their first three contests while striking just 11.7 percent of the time. In short – they will make contact and probably score a few runs per game regardless of the opponent. The Giants should be treated as underdogs here and will send lefty Drew Smyly to the mound – he already debuted this season as a reliever and struck out two in a scoreless inning. The Dodgers will counter with Urias, who went 4-3 with a 2.49 ERA in 37 appearances (eight starts) in 2019.

Injuries:

Los Angeles Dodgers

Scott Alexander - Day-To-Day - Not Injury Related

7/23 2:34 PM EST - Alexander (undisclosed) is part of the Dodgers' Opening Day roster. Alexander's inclusion comes as a bit of a surprise since he was a late arrival to camp and did not participate in any of the team's three exhibition contests. It remains to be seen whether the southpaw will be ready to pitch immediately or need a few more days before the team is comfortable sending him to the mound in a game situation.

Yadier Alvarez - Day-To-Day - Shoulder

3/2 2:33 PM EST - Alvarez (shoulder) cleared waivers Monday and was outrighted to minor-league camp, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports. Alvarez was scratched from his scheduled start Friday against the Brewers after being unable to get loose. He's been sent for tests on his shoulder, the results of which aren't yet known. The shoulder scare was evidently enough to dissuade teams from taking a chance on him in waivers.

Morgan Cooper - Day-To-Day - Shoulder

4/7 3:56 AM EST - Cooper, who did not pitch in the minors last year due to shoulder tendinitis, is still sidelined and will embark on a throwing program later this month, MLB.com reports. Morgan, the 62nd overall pick in the 2017 draft, already had some concerns over his ability to hold up over a full season since he has a Tommy John surgery under his belt.

Anthony Garcia - Day-To-Day - Groin

7/14 2:11 PM EST - Garcia was held out of the Dodgers' intrasquad game Sunday due to a tight groin muscle, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports. Garcia hit a home run in intrasquad action Friday but was pulled Sunday after reporting the groin issue. The 28-year-old is unlikely to see much, if any, major-league playing time this season.

Connor Joe - Out - Groin

3/18 9:55 AM EST - Joe underwent surgery for testicular cancer Tuesday, the outfielder announced on his personal Instagram page. The surgery explains why Joe left camp for unknown reasons back in late February. Joe says that the issue was caught early and is curable. He'll be recovering for the foreseeable future.

Clayton Kershaw - 10-Day IL - Back

7/24 5:46 PM EST - Kershaw (back) played catch up to 90 feet Friday, Alanna Rizzo of Spectrum SportsNet LA reports. Kershaw's MRI came back clean Friday, and he was able to resume throwing just one day after being placed on the 10-day injured list with back stiffness. The southpaw didn't sound too concerned about the injury after throwing and said that he hopes to return shortly after spending the minimum of 10 days on the injured list.

Jimmy Lewis - Out - Shoulder

10/15 1:07 PM EST - Lewis was diagnosed with a slight tear in his labrum after signing with the Dodgers in June, which is why he has not yet pitched professionally, Bill Plunkett of Baseball America reports. Lewis was originally shut down during his senior year of high school with what was thought to be lat injury at the time, but tests revealed a more significant injury after he signed with the Dodgers for an over-slot $1.1 million after getting selected with the 78th overall pick. Surgery has not yet been deemed necessary. He has a very high ceiling but might not be ready to pitch early in the 2020 season.

Jimmy Nelson - 60-Day IL - Back

7/21 10:31 AM EST - Nelson (back) landed on the 45-day injured list Tuesday, Eric Stephen of TrueBlueLA.com reports. The righty is set to undergo lumbar surgery, a procedure which will wipe out his 2020 season entirely. The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster for the Dodgers to add Jake McGee, who signed a major-league deal.

David Price - Out - Opt Out

7/4 1:48 PM EST - Price has elected not to play this season, he announced on his personal Twitter page Saturday. Price cited his health and his family's health as his reasons for sitting out the season during the coronavirus pandemic, becoming the highest-profile player thus far to opt out. He now won't be suiting up for his new team until the start of the 2021 season. His absence creates a hole in the Dodgers' rotation, with Dustin May looking like the most likely beneficiary.

Zach Reks - 10-Day IL - Undisclosed

7/23 3:20 PM EST - Reks (undisclosed) did not make the Dodgers' 30-man roster. Reks has been on the 10-day injured list since July 8, and the team has not provided an update on his status. It's unclear how long Reks will be out or if he'll be sent to the team's alternate training site when he recovers.

Keibert Ruiz - 10-Day IL - Undisclosed

7/23 3:23 PM EST - Ruiz (undisclosed) did not make the Dodgers' 30-man roster. Ruiz missed most of summer camp for an undisclosed reason and was never a serious candidate for a roster spot. He'll head to the team's alternate training site and serve as organizational depth this season.

Yaisel Sierra - Day-To-Day - Shoulder

4/4 3:47 PM EST - Sierra (shoulder) will begin the season at extended spring training, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News reports. Sierra is working his way back from a shoulder injury that forced him to miss all of last season. Farm directer Will Rhymes said the 27-year-old is "coming along," though he declined to offer up a timetable for Sierra's return. Once healthy, Sierra will likely report to Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Cody Thomas - 10-Day IL - Undisclosed

7/23 3:37 PM EST - Thomas (undisclosed) is not part of the Dodgers' 30-man roster. Thomas has been on the injured list since July 8 and did not make an appearance at the team's summer camp. The 25-year-old turned heads with a strong showing in Cactus League play, but he's not expected to make much of an impact at the major-league level this season.

Andrew Toles - Out - Personal

6/26 11:43 PM EST - Toles was arrested in Florida on Monday on a misdemeanor trespassing charge after he was found sleeping behind Key West International Airport and refused to leave, Gwen Filosa of the Miami Herald reports. In terms of baseball news, this incident furthers the belief that Toles is unlikely to return to the sport during the 2020 season. However, Toles' need for help clearly extends beyond baseball, and any hope of seeing him in a Dodgers uniform again should be superseded by the hope that he simply gets well. The 28-year-old has a documented history of dealing with anxiety and depression, and he essentially disappeared from baseball after leaving spring training last May to deal with a personal matter.

Edwin Uceta - 10-Day IL - Undisclosed

7/8 3:37 PM EST - Uceta was placed on the injured list Wednesday for undisclosed reasons, Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times reports. The team is unable to legally confirm if Uceta's absence is related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 22-year-old spent most of 2019 at Double-A Tulsa and had a 3.21 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 76:33 K:BB over 73 innings to earn a spot in the Dodgers' 60-player roster pool.

San Francisco Giants

Tyler Beede - 60-Day IL - Elbow

6/29 12:51 PM EST - The Giants placed Beede (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Sunday, Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic reports. The transaction is merely procedural, as Beede has already been ruled out for the 2020 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in March. His move to the 60-day IL opens up an extra spot on the 40-man roster for the Giants.

Brandon Belt - 10-Day IL - Achilles

7/25 12:19 PM EST - Belt (Achilles) is expected to return from the injured list Thursday, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports. Belt has been battling an Achilles injury since early in camp. His placement on the injured list was backdated to July 20, so he'll be eligible to return a week into the season.

Hunter Bishop - Out - Illness

6/29 12:20 PM EST - Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi said Monday that Bishop has tested positive for COVID-19, Kerry Crowley of The San Jose Mercury News reports. According to Zaidi, Bishop has only shown mild symptoms of COVID-19 and his conditioning is improving, but the positive test was enough to keep him out of the mix for the Giants' initial 60-man roster pool. Since the Giants haven't yet filled out all 60 spots, Bishop could be added to the pool at a later date once he's fully cleared of the coronavirus. The 2019 first-round pick batted .229 with five home runs and eight steals in 32 games between two of the Giants' rookie-level affiliates in his first year of professional ball.

Trevor Cahill - Out - Finger

7/20 4:50 PM EST - Cahill (finger) will likely not be available for Opening Day, Amy Gutierrez of NBC Sports Bay Area reports. Manager Gabe Kapler said both Cahill and Jarlin Garcia (undisclosed) will likely be unavailable for the Giants' opener Thursday against the Dodgers. Cahill's fingernail issue has prevented him from throwing as of late. The 32-year-old was expected to compete for a spot in the starting rotation, but Logan Webb now emerges as the leading candidate to serve as the No. 5 starter for San Francisco to begin the 2020 campaign.

Sandro Fabian - Day-To-Day - Face

8/25 7:25 PM EST - Fabian left Sunday's game at High-A San Jose after being struck by a pitch in the face, play-by-play announcer Joe Ritzo reports. Fabian was able to get up on his own and walk to a cart, though the extent of his injury is not yet known. He'll be considered day-to-day until further notice.

Jarlin Garcia - 10-Day IL - Undisclosed

7/20 4:58 PM EST - Garcia (undisclosed) will likely not be available for Opening Day, Amy Gutierrez of NBC Sports Bay Area reports. Manager Gabe Kapler expects to be without Garcia or Trevor Cahill (finger) for the Giants' season opener Thursday against the Dodgers. Garcia has been absent from the team throughout training camp, but is expected to rejoin the team soon. The 27-year-old had a strong spring and set himself up to be in the discussion as one of San Francisco's top lefty options out of the bullpen. If Garcia is forced to miss extended time to begin the season, Wandy Peralta and Conner Menez are two southpaws who are likely to experience an uptick in playing time.

Aramis Garcia - 60-Day IL - Hip

6/22 9:36 PM EST - Garcia (hip) could be ready to return by mid-to-late August, Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle reports. Garcia underwent hip surgery in February that carried a 6-to-8 month recovery timeline, and he appears to be on track in his recovery. The 27-year-old could be available for a good portion of the Giants' games once play resumes, although it's unclear how much playing time he could get with Buster Posey and Tyler Heineman in the fold. Garcia appeared in just 18 major-league games last season, hitting .143/.217/.310 with five RBI and 21 strikeouts.

Evan Longoria - 10-Day IL - Oblique

7/25 11:53 AM EST - Longoria (oblique) is expected to return from the injured list Thursday, Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic reports. Longoria has been dealing with a moderate right oblique strain for over a week. He's on the 10-day injured list, but the assignment was made retroactive to July 20, so he'll be eligible to return just seven days into the season. Expect him to be the Giants' everyday third baseman once healthy.

Reyes Moronta - 60-Day IL - Shoulder

6/22 7:23 PM EST - Moronta (shoulder) is throwing fastballs off a mound and could return by late August, Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic reports. Moronta underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder in September, but it appears as though he's on track in his recovery. The right-hander had a 2.86 ERA and 1.31 WHIP over 56 appearances last season.

Buster Posey - Out - Opt Out

7/23 2:01 PM EST - The Giants placed Posey on the restricted list July 10. The transaction is just a procedural one after Posey announced that same day that he would sit out the 2020 season, citing concerns about how playing amid a pandemic could jeopardize the health of his newborn twins. The Giants are carrying two catchers (Tyler Heineman and Rob Brantly) on the Opening Day roster, but it's unclear if either of the two will act as the clear-cut No. 1 option behind the plate.

Heliot Ramos - Day-To-Day - Leg

7/18 4:29 PM EST - Ramos is receiving treatment for an infection in his leg, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports. According to John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle, manager Gabe Kapler doesn't believe it's a serious concern, but he still didn't offer a recovery timeline for the young outfielder. Ramos was included in the team's 60-man roster pool as one of the organization's top prospects, but there's never been a high likelihood of him making his major-league debut in 2020.

Yolmer Sanchez - Day-To-Day - Back

7/23 10:41 AM EST - Sanchez (back) will open the season at the team's alternative camp site in Sacramento, Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic reports. A bout of back stiffness apparently kept Sanchez off the Opening Day roster. He'll have to prove his health before getting a shot with the big club, likely as a reserve infielder.

Austin Slater - Day-To-Day - Hip

7/25 5:24 PM EST - Slater exited Saturday's win over the Dodgers with a right hip contusion and is considered day-to-day, Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle reports. The 27-year-old sustained the injury during a collision with the outfield wall. He went 0-for-1 with a run scored and three walks as the leadoff hitter prior to leaving the game. Slater hasn't been ruled out for Sunday's series finale against the Dodgers, but with a scheduled off day Monday the team could play it cautiously to give him an extra day of rest.

Chadwick Tromp - Day-To-Day - Hamstring

7/23 12:02 PM EST - Tromp is day-to-day with hamstring tightness, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports. Tromp experienced tightness in his hamstring earlier in the week and is expected to miss a few days as a result. He figures to serve as catching depth once healthy.

San Francisco Giants Expected Lineup:

SP - Drew Smyly

1. Mauricio Dubon

2. Mike Yastrzemski

3. Wilmer Flores

4. Darin Ruf

5. Pablo Sandoval

6. Brandon Crawford

7. Jaylin Davis

8. Austin Slater

9. Tyler Heineman

Los Angeles Dodgers Expected Lineup:

SP - Julio Urias

1. Max Muncy

2. Mookie Betts

3. Justin Turner

4. Cody Bellinger

5. A.J. Pollock

6. Corey Seager

7. Chris Taylor

8. Enrique Hernandez

9. Will Smith

RotoWire.com Projections:

Cody Bellinger, LAD - OF

• Credits: 14.5
• Proj. D11 Pts: 16.73

Mookie Betts, LAD - OF

• Credits: 14
• Proj. D11 Pts: 17.42

Mike Yastrzemski, SF - OF

• Credits: 13.5
• Proj. D11 Pts: 10.72

Brandon Belt, SF - IF

• Credits: 13
• Proj. D11 Pts: 0.00

Max Muncy, LAD - IF

• Credits: 13
• Proj. D11 Pts: 16.07

Evan Longoria, SF - IF

• Credits: 13
• Proj. D11 Pts: 0.00

Hunter Pence, SF - OF

• Credits: 12.5
• Proj. D11 Pts: 3.12

Joc Pederson, LAD - OF

• Credits: 12.5
• Proj. D11 Pts: 3.66

Justin Turner, LAD - IF

• Credits: 11.5
• Proj. D11 Pts: 14.58

A.J. Pollock, LAD - OF

• Credits: 11.5
• Proj. D11 Pts: 14.09

Wilmer Flores, SF - IF

• Credits: 11.5
• Proj. D11 Pts: 9.71

Brandon Crawford, SF - IF

• Credits: 11.5
• Proj. D11 Pts: 8.22

Austin Slater, SF - OF

• Credits: 11
• Proj. D11 Pts: 8.26

Chris Taylor, LAD - OF

• Credits: 11
• Proj. D11 Pts: 13.39

Corey Seager, LAD - IF

• Credits: 10.5
• Proj. D11 Pts: 13.39

Enrique Hernandez, LAD - IF

• Credits: 10.5
• Proj. D11 Pts: 13.04

Mauricio Dubon, SF - IF

• Credits: 10
• Proj. D11 Pts: 9.98

Billy Hamilton, SF - OF

• Credits: 10
• Proj. D11 Pts: 0.00

Clayton Kershaw, LAD - P

• Credits: 9.5
• Proj. D11 Pts: 0.00

Donovan Solano, SF - IF

• Credits: 9.5
• Proj. D11 Pts: 2.65

Matt Beaty, LAD - IF

• Credits: 9.5
• Proj. D11 Pts: 2.74

Top Picks From Each Team:

Enrique Hernandez, Dodgers: There has been a lot of talk regarding how dangerous the Dodgers lineup is, and most experts are quick to stand out names such as Mookie Betts and Cody Bellinger. Hernandez, however, has been one of the team's best players in the current four-game series against the Giants. He has gone 5-for-14 with a home run, five RBI, four runs scored and a .357 average.

Wilmer Flores, Giants: Flores has gone 4-for-12 with a home run and a .333 average so far in the series against the Dodgers. The 28-year-old infielder is unlikely to sustain that level of production, but he could be a strong alternative for a relatively low cost (11.5 credits).

Captaincy Options:

1. Enrique Hernandez
2. Justin Turner
3. Wilmer Flores
4. Mookie Betts

Dream11 Team

P – Julio Urias

C – Will Smith

IF – Enrique Hernandez (C)

IF – Justin Turner (VC)

IF – Wilmer Flores

OF – Cody Bellinger

OF – Mookie Betts

OF – Mike Yastrzemski

OF – Alex Dickerson

Disclaimer: The views expressed here are of the author and is not a reflection of the actual points you might earn.