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Dodgers vs. Giants: On the brink of history

The Dodgers are trying to win five straight against the Giants for the first time since 2006.

Stephen Dunn

Throughout the historic Dodgers and Giants rivalry, consisting of 2,383 games, the ball clubs are almost even head-to-head. Therefore, opportunities to win five straight don't come often. However, the Dodgers did so back in 2006, lead by Brad Penny, Eric Gagne, Jeff Kent and company.

Saturday's starting pitcher Stephen Fife will be asked to make it happen again. Fife doesn't posses one plus pitch, yet continues to post very solid numbers. Fife steps into AT&T park with three straight quality starts.

In addition, Fife sports an overall record of 3-2 with a surprising 2.83 ERA. The Boise Idaho native defeated the Giants on June 25 by throwing 6 2/3 innings while allowing three runs. During June, Fife accumulated a team best 2.21 ERA, out-performing the likes of Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke.

On the other side, Bruce Bochy's ace Madison Bumgarner gets the nod. Bumgarner stands in at 8-5 with his customary 3.08 ERA and 107 strikeouts. The 6'4, 215-pound southpaw deserves serious All-Star Game consideration. Bumgarner has allowed three runs in 15 innings in two starts against the Dodgers in 2013.

The Dodgers recent offensive output has been impressive, yet that could easily change Saturday. Against Bumgarner -- Adrian Gonzalez is batting .118, Hanley Ramirez is hitting .143 and Mark Ellis is at .097. Carl Crawford has never faced Bumgarner. Juan Uribe's .286 lifetime clip against Bumgarner is the highest average among the regular starters with any time against Bumgarner. Yasiel Puig faced Bumgarner just once, on June 24, but was 2-for-3 with a home run.

Game info

Time: 4:15 p.m.

TV: Fox

MLB Gameday