The San Francisco Giants wrap up the regular season home stretch on Friday, September 25, hosting the Los Angeles Dodgers at Oracle Park for a 10:15 PM ET first pitch. San Francisco will counter one of baseball's most formidable lineups — headlined by Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman — by sending Yunior Marte to the hill opposite Dodgers left-hander Tarik Skubal. With the calendar closing in on the final week of the regular season, every game carries real weight, and this one pits a Giants roster leaning heavily on youth against a Dodgers squad loaded with proven stars.

Giants vs. Dodgers Pitching Matchup: Yunior Marte vs. Tarik Skubal

This is a steep climb for San Francisco on the mound. Tarik Skubal has established himself as one of the premier starters in the American League, and his presence in this matchup presents a serious challenge for a Giants lineup that is built around several younger faces. Yunior Marte draws the assignment for the Giants, and what he can deliver in terms of length and command will set the tone early. If Marte can keep the Dodgers' dangerous middle of the order — Freeman, Will Smith, and Kyle Tucker — from doing damage in the first few innings, the Giants give themselves a fighting chance.

Giants Lineup: Youth on Display at Oracle Park

San Francisco's lineup card for Friday leans on a collection of younger and developing players. Jonah Cox leads off from center field, followed by Brett Harris at first base and Victor Bericoto handling the DH role. Bo Davidson slots in at cleanup in right field, with Andrew Knizner catching behind the dish. Marcelo Mayer, one of the more intriguing names in this order, bats sixth at second base. Shay Whitcomb, Scott Bandura, and Christian Koss round out the bottom third.

Dodgers Lineup: A Star-Studded Challenge

Los Angeles brings a lineup that requires no embellishment. Shohei Ohtani leads off as the designated hitter, with Mookie Betts — now at shortstop — batting second. Freddie Freeman hits third, Will Smith fourth, and Kyle Tucker fifth. Teoscar Hernández, Max Muncy, Andy Pages, and Enrique Hernández fill out a deep and experienced group. The Giants' bullpen may be tested early if Marte struggles to navigate this order.

Keys to Watch Friday Night

• Marte's command early: Falling behind in counts against Ohtani, Betts, and Freeman could snowball fast. Getting ahead and limiting walks is essential.
• Marcelo Mayer's at-bats: The young second baseman gets a high-profile opportunity. How he handles Skubal will be worth watching.
• Oracle Park's atmosphere: Late-season home games against the Dodgers carry their own energy at 24 Willie Mays Plaza. The crowd will be engaged from the first pitch.
• Giants' bullpen management: Depending on how long Marte lasts, the back end of San Francisco's staff will be critical in keeping the game competitive.

Prediction

This is a tough ask. Skubal is a genuine ace-caliber arm, and the Dodgers lineup is built to punish any mistakes. The Giants' youth-heavy order will need a career night or two to keep pace. Expect the Dodgers to handle business here, though Marte could keep it closer than the names suggest if he pounds the zone. Dodgers 5, Giants 2.

Catch the action on NBCS BA locally or tune in on KNBR 680 for radio coverage.