Tony Vitello wins first game in Giants-Dodgers rivalry

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San Francisco (10-13) opened a three-game series against the Dodgers (16-7) on Tuesday. The Giants won the series opener, 3-1, at Oracle Park in San Francisco, California.

Tuesday's contest was the first for San Francisco manager Tony Vitello in the Giants-Dodgers rivalry. He is in his first season with the Giants after serving as Tennessee's head coach from 2018-25.

After the game, Vitello discussed what beating Los Angeles means for San Francisco.

"It gives you permission to be confident," Vitello said. "Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan - those guys don't need the win column, or statistics, or permission, to be confident. It's an undying thing. That's ideal."

Game 2 between the Dodgers and Giants is scheduled for 9:45 p.m. EDT on Wednesday. A series finale is slated for Thursday at 3:45 p.m. EDT.

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Vitello compiled a 341–131 (125–85 SEC) record at Tennessee.

He guided the Vols to a 2024 national championship, two SEC Tournament titles (2022, 2024), two SEC regular season championships (2022, 2024) and three College World Series appearances (2021, 2023-24).

More: Tony Vitello joins Dick Howser in going directly from college baseball to MLB

Tony Vitello on what beating the Dodgers to open up the series means for this team.

"It gives you permission to be confident. Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan... those guys don't need the win column or statistics or permission to be confident. It's an undying thing. That's ideal." pic.twitter.com/psWC7oua1G

— KNBR (@KNBR) April 22, 2026

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This article originally appeared on Vols Wire: Tony Vitello discusses what beating the Dodgers means for Giants

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