The Dodgers would like to take the rubber game of their opening series with the Giants, but they might settle for a run against a starting pitcher just for a change of pace after the first two games. But after scoring no runs in 14 innings against Matt Cain and Madison Bumgarner, they have to face Tim Lincecum, who has allowed three runs in his last three starts against the Dodgers, all wins for San Francisco.
The Dodgers were able to draw 29 pitches out of Cain in the opener, which helped get him out of the game after six innings in a game won against the Giants' bullpen. Bumgarner, however, threw first pitch strikes to 22 of 26 hitters, and had 12 0-2 counts, so he was easily able to last eight innings.
Lincecum in four starts against the Dodgers in 2012 was 2-1 with a 2.67 ERA, and in 29 starts against everyone else was 8-14 with a 5.56 ERA. He is looking to turn things around after a terrible spring, with a 10.57 ERA in five starts, with 16 strikeouts and eight walks in 15⅓ innings.
Josh Beckett was having a near flawless spring until his final two starts, which were anything but smooth. Both in Phoenix against the Athletics and in Los Angeles against the Angels, Beckett allowed two home runs and seven runs in four innings.
Beckett, who put up a 2.93 and had three quality starts for the Dodgers after joining Los Angeles on Aug. 25, makes his eighth start as a Dodger on Wednesday night. Beckett in three starts at Dodger Stadium last year allowed one run in each contest, with 20 strikeouts and six walks in 18 innings at home.
Notes
- The two Giants who have faced Beckett the most have hit him the hardest. Marco Scuato is 6-for-15 with a triple, a walk and a hit by pitch (.400/.471/.533), and Hunter Pence is 6-for-14 (.429/.429/.429).
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Skip Schumaker is 7-for-23 with a home run and a double (.304/.333/.478) against Lincecum in case you were wondering about a spot start at second base, especially with Thursday's off day, but then again Mark Ellis is 5-for-15 with a double and three walks (.333/.444/.400) against him.
- Adrian Gonzalez is 8-for-42 (.190) with 16 strikeouts against Lincecum, and Matt Kemp is 9-for-42 (.214) with 18 strikeouts against him.
- The Dodgers were 10-9 in the rubber game of a three-game series last season, including 5-4 at home.
Game info
Time: 7:10 p.m. PT
TV: KCAL, ESPN2