We are now just a few days away from the 2021 trade deadline. All deals will be conducted before this Friday at 4:00 pm Eastern time. The Dodgers and Giants both possess the best records across the Major Leagues as this year’s deadline approaches.
Surely both teams will look to add pieces before the deadline, as they make their respective playoff pushes. However, they will both also meet for their second series in two weeks, which might have implications on the division race.
Tuesday night the Dodgers and Giants will begin a crucial three-game series in San Francisco. Only two games separate the two rivals in the standings with the Giants in first place. They’ve met 13 times so far this season with the Dodgers taking seven meetings.
Most recently, they concluded a four game series at Dodger Stadium, with the Giants taking three out of four after several ninth-inning meltdowns by the Dodgers.
Over the last few weeks, both clubs have been involved in trade rumors. The Dodgers reportedly have shown interest in Twins right handed starter José Berrios, and the Giants have looked at Marlins outfielder Starling Marte. The Dodgers are currently down to a few starting pitchers and several converted relivers, so it is important they get some depth at this deadline.
The Dodgers will also look to get several star players back from injury in the near future such as Mookie Betts, Corey Seager and Clayton Kershaw.
Pitching matchups for the three day series in the Bay stand as Julio Urias vs Logan Webb, Walker Buehler vs Anthony DeSclafani, and David Price vs Johnny Cueto.
The two sides won’t meet again until September, so this will be quite a crucial series. After the Giants, the Dodgers will play the Diamondbacks and then gear up for interleague play against the Astros and the Angels.
Ultimately, the Dodgers will probably pull off some kind of deal before the trade deadline. But on what level remains to be seen. It has been reported the Dodgers won’t include catching prospect Keibert Ruiz in any deal with a player who’s a free agent this off-season.
Personally for me, Ruiz is on the untouchables list, as he is still quite very young. In the small sample size we’ve seen so far, he has impressed.
Other reports have linked to the Dodgers perhaps being open to trading Gavin Lux or other prospects in the farm system. Another option could be trading for veteran right hander Max Scherzer, but we will have to wait and see what Andrew Friedman is willing to sacrifice to improve his club.
First pitch for Tuesday’s opener will be at 6:45 p.m. Pacific.
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