Los Angeles Dodgers vs San Francisco Giants Prediction: Ohtani Takes the Mound For LA
Updated July 9, 2026
The rivalry between the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants continues Wednesday night at Oracle Park, with Game 2 of their series following a surprising opener. San Francisco grabbed a 3-1 win in the opener, striking early and leaning on strong pitching to hold off a potent Dodgers lineup. Now the focus shifts to a Dodgers vs Giants matchup that heavily favors Los Angeles on paper, as Shohei Ohtani takes the mound against Tyler Mahle.
Ohtani has been dominant early in the season, posting a 2-0 record with a 0.50 ERA across 18 innings. He has struck out 18 while allowing just 7 hits and no home runs. He has also consistently worked deep into games, completing 6 innings in each outing.
Mahle, on the other hand, has struggled to find rhythm. Through 18.2 innings, he owns a 7.23 ERA, allowing 24 hits and 6 home runs while walking 12 batters. His inability to limit traffic on the bases has put pressure on a Giants bullpen that was excellent in the series opener but may not sustain that nightly.
While San Francisco showed it can compete in the opener, this matchup presents a very different challenge. Ohtani’s current form gives Los Angeles a strong edge from the first pitch, and the Dodgers' lineup remains one of the most productive groups in baseball. Facing a struggling Mahle, this is a spot where that offense can break through early and build a lead. I'll lay the runline with the Dodgers in this contest, as they should even this series at a game apiece.
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