Dodgers vs. Giants: Battle of rookies at Dodger Stadium

Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium will feature a battle of rookie pitchers, with Stephen Fife and the Dodgers taking on Mike Kickham and the Giants in the second game of the series. The Dodgers for most of the last decade the Dodgers have had trouble with pitchers in their first or second major league game, but this year and last have taken better advantage of the newbies.

Kickham is making his second major league start, filling in for the injured Chad Gaudin for San Francisco.

From 2001-2011, the Dodgers were 6-16 when facing a starting pitcher in either their first or second major league game, with the rookies posting a 3.77 ERA and averaging 5.42 innings per start.

But since the beginning of 2012 the Dodgers are 3-1 in such games, as Joe Wieland, Hiram Burgos, Brandon Cumpton and Gerrit Cole combined for a 6.23 ERA, with none of the four pitchers lasting more than six innings.

Kickham lasted just seven outs into his major league debut on May 28 against the Athletics. He allowed four runs on four hits with four walks and three strikeouts. The left-hander was 3-5 with a 4.81 ERA in 14 starts for Triple-A Fresno this season.

The Dodgers are 15-12 against left-handed starting pitchers this season, and have won four of their last five games started by opposing southpaws.

Fife has a 2.35 ERA since returning from the disabled list, with 22 strikeouts and seven walks in 23 innings. He is the only Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher in history to allow two runs or less in nine starts in his first 10 career games.

After facing a different opponent in each of his first nine career starts, Fife faces a repeat opponent for his second straight outing. Fife made his second career start against the Giants at AT&T Park last July 27 and allowed just one run in 6⅓ innings.

Game info

Time: 7:10 p.m.

TV: KCAL, MLB Network

MLB Gameday