The San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers swapped sweeps in their previous two series, reigniting the rivalry on Monday as the Black and Orage return to Dodger Stadium with first place in the NL West on the line.
With a half game lead heading into the series, Los Angeles is looking to put some space between them and their long-time rivals with both L.A. and San Francisco winning their previous series 2-1. The Dodgers swept the Giants at AT&T at the end of July, while S.F. swept the Boys in Blue a month earlier.
Needles to say, it's a tight race.
2011 Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw (11-6, 2.90) faces lefty Madison Bumgarner (13-7, 2.97) in game one. Kershaw has taken the W in his last four starts, while Bumgarner threw a complete game of one-run ball in his last start. First pitch is set for 7:10 p.m. PT with coverage on CSN Bay Area and KNBR 680 AM.
Joe Blanton (8-11, 4.96) takes on Tim Lincecum (6-12, 5.45) on Tuesday. Blanton is yet to win a game in a Dodger uniform, while Lincecum has struggled once again started to struggled, taking the L in his last two starts. First pitch is at 7:10 p.m. PT with coverage on CSN Bay Area and KNBR 680 AM.
Chris Capuano (11-8, 3.14) squares off with Matt Cain (12-5, 2.90) in the finale. Capuano took a no decision in his last outing while Cain earned the win in his last two starts. First pitch is at 7:10 p.m. PT with coverage on CSN Bay Area and KNBR 680 AM.
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