LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers don’t have to look too far to understand just how important games against the Giants are, even when the calendar reads as early as May 3. 

Last season, despite tying a franchise record with 106 wins, the Dodgers finished one game behind the Giants in the National League West. The race came down to the final day of the regular season. San Francisco won the season series, 10-9, proving that every game between the two division rivals was meaningful. 

Because Los Angeles didn’t win the division, it was forced to play a Wild Card Game against the Cardinals before taking on the Giants in the NLDS. Though the Dodgers advanced, they admitted to being mentally and physically fatigued during their NLCS against the Braves.

As they try to avoid a similar path this season, the Dodgers are looking to take care of business more often than not during the 19 meetings against their longtime rival. They got off to a good start in the 3-1 win over San Francisco on Tuesday at Dodger Stadium.

“I’m expecting 18 more good games,” said Dodgers super utilityman Chris Taylor. “Every time we step on the field with them, it seems like it comes down to the last out.” 

Taylor played a big role in the round one win over the Giants, hitting a two-out, two-run single off Giants left-hander Carlos Rodón in the second inning to give the Dodgers a 2-0 lead. That proved to be enough behind Los Angeles' stellar pitching.

Left-hander Julio Urías got the start on Tuesday and delivered six shutout innings. Urías needed just 65 pitches to get through the six frames. Roberts said the decision to take out Urías was because the Giants put together a few good swings in the sixth inning off him. It was also the third time through the order, though Urías had retired the next two hitters Wilmer Flores and Brandon Crawford in each of their first two at-bats.

“We’re going to lean on him all summer,” Roberts said. “I just didn’t feel right now was the time. I think that we still have to be mindful of the past workload from last year and continue to appreciate what we didn’t have access to as far as the buildup. I think that I’d rather err more on the cautious side than the aggressive side.”

Urías is no stranger to controversial pitching decisions. During Game 5 of the NLDS against the Giants, the Dodgers opted to go with an opener ahead of Urías, despite the left-hander being the only 20-game winner in the Majors. Urías was also used in relief during the NLCS against the Braves. But as he always does, Urías said he respected the decision made by Roberts.

“Obviously,” Urías said in Spanish when asked if he would’ve liked to stay in the game. “Especially with how I felt with all my pitches. You always want to stay in there and keep fighting, but that was their plan and you have to respect that.”

After a shaky first start in Colorado, Urías has looked much more like himself over his last four starts. The Mexican left-hander has allowed just two runs over his last 22 innings, striking out 19. He’s still working to find consistent velocity on his four-seam fastball, but it hasn’t stopped him from being effective on the mound. His season ERA is 1.88.

Following Urías, the Dodgers’ bullpen continued their early season dominance. Brusdar Graterol and Alex Vesia combined to allow a run in the seventh. The rally, however, was started by shaky defense at third by Justin Turner. Vesia ended the threat by striking out outfielder Luke Williams. Daniel Hudson and Craig Kimbrel shut the door in the eighth and ninth, respectively.

“Vesia, he’s a leverage reliever. He’s becoming a dude,” Roberts said. “I could have left Graterol in there, but I wanted him to be available for tomorrow night as well. I liked the matchup, and he did a nice job.”

The Dodgers are expecting every game against the Giants to be a dogfight. They were last year and they ultimately decided who won the NL West. They’ll meet 18 more times, but the Dodgers landed the first punch on Tuesday.

“Last year they made it tough on us and they have a good team,” Urías said. “There’s a little extra knowing about the rivalry. We know they’re going to give us everything and we’re going to give them everything.”