Giants vs. Dodgers Game 1: Preview & Starting Pitchers – May 11

Giants vs. Dodgers Game 1 opens one of baseball’s biggest rivalries with a little extra tension this time around. Los Angeles is back home at Dodger Stadium, trying to steady itself after an uneven stretch, while San Francisco rolls in looking to steal momentum early in a four-game set that could shift the tone in the NL West. 

The Dodgers still have star power, even with injuries piling up across the roster. The Giants, though, arrive with a chance to play spoiler behind a young pitcher coming off the best outing of his career. That contrast is what makes this opener interesting right away: proven firepower on one side, growing confidence on the other.

Giants vs. Dodgers Game 1: TV Channel, Streaming

Here’s how to watch Monday night’s matchup:

• First pitch: 10:10 p.m. ET
• TV channel: SportsNet LA, NBC Sports Bay Area, MLB Network (out of market)
• Location: Dodger Stadium
• Streaming option: Fubo, regional network streaming platforms

This series always brings playoff-style energy, and Game 1 already feels like a tone-setter before the week even really gets going.

Giants vs. Dodgers Game 1: Expected Starting Pitchers

The Dodgers hand the ball to Roki Sasaki, and all eyes are on how the rookie responds in his first career start against San Francisco. The electric right-hander comes in on extra rest after Los Angeles shuffled the rotation following Blake Snell’s return. The raw stuff is undeniable, but command and consistency have still been a work in progress.

San Francisco counters with Trevor McDonald, who enters with real momentum after dominating the Padres in his last outing. He struck out eight, walked nobody, and looked completely in control across seven innings. For a Giants team searching for stability, that performance changed the conversation around him quickly.