Giants at Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers carry a season-high four-game win streak into Wednesday’s series finale against the visiting San Francisco Giants, who have lost eight of their last 11 to fall one game under .500 for the first time since losing on opening day. The Giants haven't had a winning road trip since their first series of the season, and they're 14-24 away from AT&T Park. Center fielder Andres Torres exemplifies the team's problems with a .361 average at home compared to .185 on the road.
The Dodgers are reportedly in the market for starting pitching, but their biggest need might be in the bullpen. Former closer Brandon League failed to retire any of the three batters he faced in the ninth inning Tuesday, and right-hander Ronald Belisario has a 10.29 ERA in 10 appearances this month. With closer Kenley Jansen unavailable Tuesday after appearing in three straight games, Paco Rodriguez replaced League and recorded his first major-league save.
TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, Prime Ticket (Los Angeles), NBC-Bay Area (San Francisco)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers LH Clayton Kershaw (5-5, 2.06 ERA) vs. Giants RH Tim Lincecum (4-7, 4.52)
Kershaw still ranks among the league leaders in most pitching categories, but he’s 0-4 in six starts since May 20. Part of the problem has been a lack of run support, with the Dodgers scoring a total of nine runs in his five losses. Hunter Pence is 2-for-29 against the 2011 Cy Young Award winner, who is 1-0 with a 0.56 ERA in two starts against the Giants this season.
Lincecum may never rediscover the form that enabled him to win back-to-back Cy Young Awards, but he’s pitched better of late with three quality starts in his last four outings. Adrian Gonzalez is 8-for-44 against the 29-year-old right-hander, who allowed two unearned runs over five innings against the Dodgers on April 3. He’s 8-5 with a 2.69 ERA in 20 career games against Los Angeles.
WALK-OFFS
1. Dodgers CF Matt Kemp (hamstring) was activated from the disabled list before Tuesday’s game and had a single in four at-bats.
2. This is the latest the Giants have been under .500 since they finished the 2008 season at 72-90.
3. Los Angeles SS Hanley Ramirez is 14-for-30 (.467) during his eight-game hitting streak.