The Dodgers in their last four years on the road against the Giants have had mixed success. From 2008-2011, the Giants won 19 of the 36 games played against the Dodgers at AT&T Park, but neither team took more than five of the nine games in San Francisco in any one year:

• 2011: Giants won five of nine in San Francisco
• 2010: Giants won five of nine in SF
• 2009: Dodgers won five of nine in SF
• 2008: Giants won five of nine in SF
  

Over the last four years, 21 of the 36 meetings between the Dodgers and Giants at AT&T Park were decided by two runs or less. Last year, four of their nine matchups in San Francisco were one-run affairs. This year, the Dodgers lead baseball with 31 one-run games (they are 18-13). The Giants are third with 27 one-run contests (16-11).

In other words, this seems likely to be a close series, with close games. Buckle up.

Starting Lineups

It was already noted that James Loney is 2-for-28 in his career against Barry Zito, with seven strikeouts. Couple that with Loney's current 0-for-15 slump, and a seat on the bench tonight was a foregone conclusion. This is the eighth time in the Dodgers' last 15 games in a National League park that Loney has not started.

Andre Ethier has hit .351/.407/.506 in 43 career games at AT&T Park. After going 6-for-11 over the weekend against the Angels, might Ethier snap his current streak of nine games without an RBI tonight?

Buster Posey gets a night off for San Francisco.

Game Time: 7:15 p.m.

TV: Prime Ticket

MLB Gameday