Dodgers vs. Giants lineups: Starting infield gets a rest

The Dodgers face long odds to have home field advantage in the National League Division Series, and their lineup on Wednesday night against the Giants in San Francisco reflects a team that knows it. Four regulars get the night off in the middle game of the three-game series at AT&T Park.

Hanley Ramirez, Adrian Gonzalez, Mark Ellis and Juan Uribe all sit, and it's not much of a surprise as manager Don Mattingly said over the weekend in San Diego that he would continue to rest his regulars in the final week in an effort to keep them rested and refreshed for October. It doesn't hurt that Ramirez, Ellis and Uribe have the Dodgers' three worst OPS against Giants starter Barry Zito among players with at least 15 plate appearances.

Michael Young starts at first base, batting cleanup, his eighth start in 22 games since joining the Dodgers. Jerry Hairston, mired in an 0-for-16 slump and hitting just .214/.268/.289 on the season, starts at third base, while Skip Schumaker gets the call at second and Nick Punto at shortstop.

The Dodgers are two games behind both the Braves and Cardinals for home field advantage in a potential playoff matchup, but time is running out. For the Dodgers to have home field advantage against the Cardinals they need six of eight outcomes to go their way. For the Dodgers to host the Braves they would need eight of 10 possible outcomes to fall in their favor.

Game info

Time: 7:15 p.m.

TV: KCAL, ESPN

MLB Gameday