Los Angeles Dodgers vs San Francisco Giants Prediction: Ohtani Takes the Mound For LA
Updated April 22, 2026
Updated April 22, 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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