Dodgers-Giants series preview, a view from the other side

Editor's note: This post comes is authored by Russell Preston. Preston is a Giants' fan and runs Seedspitters, a Giants' blog that's part of the Yardbarker Network. Preston is a journalism major at Sacramento State University and was a reporter and editor under my watch.

After a four-run rally in the ninth inning in Oakland on Friday, the Giants were on their way to stealing the series opener from the Athletics.

The Giants never seem to win games when they overcome a deficit. In fact, in the games the Giants were losing after the eighth inning, their record stood at 1-29 before the Game 1 win.

Then a huge game on Saturday had the Giants leading 9-4 with just one out remaining in the ninth. Four relievers and four runs allowed later, the Giants pulled a fluky win out from under the Athletics for yet another lucky win.

In the first two games, the main offensive leaders for the giants came from a future all-star in Buster Posey, and a guy who many thought would never produce at the big league level: Brandon Belt.

Giants’ fans alike were rooting for the kid in Spring Training after a rough rookie season in 2011. Now after some consistent playing time, he has been the most productive Giant in the past couple weeks.

In the past 15 games, Belt has 17 hits in 47 at-bats along with four home runs and 14 RBI. What has been most impressive is his on-base percentage of .509 in that stretch, taking 11 walks and only striking out seven times.

Sunday’s game was the only bad note to Belt’s recent success; he went 0-3 with two strikeouts. Then again, every Giant except Ryan Theriot (2-for-4, 1 R) and Buster Posey (1-for-3, 1 HR, 2 RBI) was unable to hit the ball against the rookie pitcher A.J. Griffin.

The Giants bullpen has been shaky (as seen in the 9-8 win on Saturday, allowing four runs in the ninth), and closer Santiago Casilla has been the weak link this weekend. Casilla allowed a three-run walk-off home run to rookie catcher Derek Norris to give the A’s a 4-2 victory. Other than the past two nights, Casilla had been lights out (even better than Brian Wilson, I might add) against hitters in the ninth.

Heading into an exciting home series with the division-leading Dodgers, the Giants will test their ability to keep a lead in a ballgame.

The offense has been doing well. The only question is if Tim Lincecum and Barry Zito can put together good enough starts to gain some ground on the rivaled Dodgers.

Check out Seedspitters for my take on the Dodgers and this series.

Photo credit: SD Dirk, Flickr

Series Preview: Cardinals at Dodgers April 14-17

St. Louis Cardinals (5-7) at Los Angeles Dodgers (6-6)
April 14-17

Games: 13-16
Location: Dodger Stadium
2011 record vs. Giants: N/A
2010 record vs. Giants: 3-4

2010: The Dodgers started off well with the Cardinals, sweeping a three-game series in Los Angeles in June. This was following the first-round sweep of the Cardinals in the 2009 National League Divisional Series. When the Dodgers traveled to St. Louis following the All-Star Break, though, the tides turned. The Cards swept a four-game series, which included the Cards scoring two runs in the ninth of the concluding game of the series off Jonathan Broxton to secure the sweep.

2011: This is the first team the Dodgers will face outside the National League West. The Dodgers are coming off a series loss in San Francisco while the Cardinal s are coming off a series win in Arizona.

Game 1: Jaime Garcia (1-0) vs. Hiroki Kuroda (2-0)
Garcia career vs. Dodgers: 1-0, 4 1/3 IP, 8 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 4 K, 4.15 ERA, 2.31 WHIP, .381 BAA
Garcia career at Dodger Stadium: Never appeared

Kuroda career vs. Cardinals: 0-1, 19 IP, 1.42 ERA, 0.74 WHIP, 9.00 K/9, .179 BAA
Kuroda career at Dodger Stadium: 259 2/3 IP, 15-12, 3.50 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 6.76 K/9, .243 BAA

Dodgers' hitters vs. Garcia
Jamey Carroll - 2-for-2, 1 3B
Andre Ethier - 1-for-2
Matt Kemp - 1-for-2
James Loney - 1-for-2
Casey Blake - 1-for-3
Juan Uribe - 0-for-6
Rod Barajas - 0-for-2
Xavier Paul - 0-for-1

Cardinals' hitters vs. Kuroda
Matt Holliday - 8-for-20, 2 2B, 1 HR, 6 RBI
Skip Schumaker - 2-for-8, 1 2B
Yadier Molina - 1-for-8, 2 K
Albert Pujols - 1-for-9, 1 2B
Lance Berkman - 0-for-7, 2 BB
Colby Rasmus - 0-for-6, 4 K
Ryan Theriot - 0-for-5

Game 2: Kyle Lohse (1-1) vs. Jon Garland (0-0)
Lohse career vs. Dodgers: 1-2, 26 IP, 4.15 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 6.23 K/9, .298 BAA
Lohse career at Dodger Stadium: 2 G, 1-1, 10 IP, 5.40 ERA, 1.70 WHIP, 8.10 K/9, .350 BAA

Garland career vs. Cardinals: 1-4, 28 2/3 IP, 5.02 ERA, 1.57 WHIP, 6.28 K/9, .292 BAA
Garland career at Dodger Stadium: 5 G, 4-1, 32 IP, 2.53 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 6.19 K/9, .263 BAA

Dodgers' hitters vs. Lohse
Marcus Thames - 4-for-8, 1 HR
Aaron Miles - 5-for-12, 1 2B
Ethier - 2-for-7
Blake - 11-for-41 (.268), 2 2B, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 2 BB, 11 K
Loney - 2-for-9 (.222), 1 2B
Uribe - 2-for-15 (.133), 3 K
Kemp - 1-for-9, 4 K

Cardinals' hitters vs. Garland
Molina - 5-for-7, 2 RBI
Pujols - 5-for-13, 2 HR
Holliday - 2-for-7, 2 BB
Rasmus - 3-for-11, 1 HR
Berkman - 3-for-19, 1 2B, 1 HR, 2 BB, 5 K
Schumaker - 2-for-13, 1 2B

Game 3: Kyle McClellan (1-0) vs. Clayton Kershaw (2-1)
McClellan career vs. Dodgers: 10 G, 2-0, 10 2/3 IP, 1.69 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, 5.91 K/9, .250 BAA
McClellan career at Dodger Stadium: 4 G, 1-0, 3 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K

Kershaw career vs. Cardinals: 6 G, 2-1, 36 IP, 3.00 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 9.25 K/9, .225 BAA
Kershaw career at Dodger Stadium: 264 IP, 14-11, 2.76 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 9.89 K/9, .212 BAA

Dodgers' hitters vs. McClellan
Loney - 1-for-2, 1 2B
Kemp - 0-for-4
Blake - o-for-3, 1 BB
Ethier - 0-for-2
Tony Gwynn - 0-for-1

Cardinals' hitters vs. Kershaw
Pujols - 6-for-12, 3 2B, 5 BB
Holliday - 5-for-14 (.357), 6 BB, 4 K
Molina - 2-for-9, 1 2B
Berkman - 1-for-5, 2 K
Theriot - 1-for-7, 2 K
Schumaker - 0-for-7, 6 K

Game 4: vs. Chris Carpenter (0-2) vs. Chad Billingsley (1-1)
Carpenter career vs. Dodgers: 8 G, 6-0, 56 IP, 1.77 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 7.07 K/9, .225 BAA
Carpenter career at Dodger Stadium: 3 G, 2-0, 20 IP, 3.15 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 8.55 K/9, .257 BAA

Billingsley career vs. Cardinals: 7 G, 1-3, 32 2/3 IP, 5.79 ERA, 1.62 WHIP, 5.51 K/9, .278 BAA
Billingsley career at Dodger Stadium: 394 IP, 33-19, 3.86 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 8.63 K/9, .253 BAA

Dodgers' hitters vs. Carpenter
Barajas - 3-for-8, 1 2B
Carroll - 6-for-16, 1 2B, 2 BB
Ethier - 6-for-17, 3 2B
Uribe - 1-for-6, 1 3B, 3 K
Kemp - 2-for-12, 1 2B, 2 BB, 5 K
Loney - 2-for-14, 2 K
Blake 1-for-13, 5 K

Cardinals' hitters vs. Billingsley
Theriot - 7-for-15, 2 K
Molina - 4-for-11, 2 K
Holliday - 6-for-21, 3 HR, 8 BB, 4 K
Pujols - 3-for-15, 1 2B, 3 BB
Schumacker - 2-for-10, 2 K
Rasmus - 1-for-6
Berkman - 2-for-15, 2 2B, 2 BB, 4 K

Analysis: The Dodgers have fared better in recent years against the Cardinals, but the Red Birds continue to be a thorn in their side. This series features four-fifths of each team's rotation, including the best pitchers each team has to offer. The Dodgers (and the rest of baseball) are lucky Adam Wainwright is out for the season.

Prediction: The Dodgers win Games 1 and 3 behind masterful pitching performances by Kuroda and Kershaw.

Next meeting: Aug. 22-24 at Busch Stadium

Series Preview: Dodgers at Giants April 11-13

Los Angeles Dodgers (5-4) at San Francisco Giants (4-5)
April 11-13

Games: 10-12
Location: AT&T Park
2011 record vs. Giants: 3-1
2010 record vs. Giants: 8-10

2011: The Dodgers opened the season against the Giants. With the help of some shoddy Giant defense and masterful Dodger pitching, the Dodgers were able to win three of the four games. Clayton Kershaw threw seven shutout innings on Opening Day, the Dodgers rallied in the second game after Brandon Belt hit his first career home run off Chad Bilingsley and after a 10-0 loss on Saturday, Matt Kemp got the Dodgers started with his first home run and the pitching held up.

Game 1: Clayton Kershaw (1-1, 2.08 ERA) vs. Madison Bumgarner (0-1, 9.00 ERA)
Kershaw career vs. Giants: 44 IP, 2-1, 1.23 ERA, 0.86 WHIP, 9.61 K/9, .164 BAA
Kershaw career at AT&T Park: 17 IP, 1-1, 1.06 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 5.29 K/9, .194 BAA

Bumgarner career vs. Dodgers: 6 2/3 IP, 1-0, 1.35 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 6.75 K/9, .250 BAA
Bumgarner career at AT&T Park: 50 1/3 IP, 1-3, 4.47 ERA, 1.49 WHIP, 6.44 K/9, .298 BAA

Best Giants' hitters vs. Kershaw
Miguel Tejada - 5-for-15 (.333), 1 2B, 3 RBI
Freddy Sanchez - 4-for-13 (.308)
Pat Burrell - 4-for-16 (.250), 3 2B, 1 HR, 6 RBI

Aubrey Huff is 2-for-14 (.143) and Buster Posey and Andres Torres are 2-for-12 (.167) lifetime against Kershaw.

Best Dodgers' hitters vs. Bumgarner
Matt Kemp - 2-for-2
Jamey Carroll - 1-for-3 (.333)
Rafael Furcal - 1-for-3 (.333), 1 HR

Andre Ethier is 0-for-3 and James Loney and Casey Blake are 0-for-2 lifetime against Bumgarner.

Game 2: Chad Billingsley (1-1, 8.00 ERA) vs. Tim Lincecum (1-1, 0.64 ERA)
Billingsley career vs. Giants: 108 2/3 IP, 7-3, 2.73 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 7.29 K/9, .258 BAA
Billingsley career at AT&T Park: 54 IP, 2-2, 2.50 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 7.33 K/9, .275 BAA

Lincecum career vs. Dodgers: 67 1/3 IP, 5-2, 3.07 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 9.49 K/9, .216 BAA
Lincecum career at AT&T Park: 415 IP, 30-15, 3.06 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 10.13 K/9, .228 BAA

Best Giants' hitters vs. Billingsley
Nate Schierholtz - 6-for-14 (.429), 1 2B, 1 3B
Aaron Rowand - 7-for-20 (.350), 1 HR, 4 RBI, 4 BB
Tejada - 7-for-20 (.350), 1 HR, 4 RBI
Brandon Belt - 1-for-3 (.333), 1 HR, 3 RBI

Pablo Sandoval is 5-for-30 (.167), Sanchez is 5-for-26 (.192), Burrell is 4-for-19 (.211), Mark DeRosa is 2-for-9 (.222), Huff is 4-for-18 (.222) and Torres is 4-for-17 (.231) lifetime against Billingsley.

Best Dodgers' hitters vs. Lincecum
Marcus Thames - 2-for-3 (.667), 2 HR
Xavier Paul - 2-for-3, 1 2B
Ethier - 8-for-29 (.276), 2 HR, 6 RBI
Furcal - 6-for-23 (.261), 1 HR, 7 BB

Kemp is 3-for-21 (.143), is 0-for-3, Blake is 2-for-13 (.154) and Loney is 5-for-30 (.167) lifetime against Lincecum.

Game 3: Ted Lilly (0-1, 6.00 ERA) vs. Jonathan Sanchez (0-1, 2.53 ERA)
Lilly career vs. Giants:46 2/3 IP, 3-3, 5.79 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, 5.98 K/9, .282 BAA
Lilly career at AT&T Park: 18 IP, 1-2, 6.50 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, 7.00 K/9, .288 BAA

Sanchez career vs. Dodgers: 67 1/3 IP, 2-6, 4.68 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, 9.49 K/9, .252 BAA
Sanchez career at AT&T Park: 305 IP, 17-15, 4.13 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 9.29 K/9, .233 BAA

Best Giants' hitters vs. Lilly
Posey - 3-for-7 (.429), 2 HR
Rowand - 10-for-26 (.385), 2 2B, 1 HR
Sanchez - 10-for-29 (.345), 5 2B
Tejada - 15-for-54 (.278), 3 HR, 10 RBI

Burrell is 1-for-13 (.077) and Huff is 6-for-32 (.188) lifetime against Lilly.

Best Dodgers' hitters vs. Sanchez
Kemp - 11-for-29 (.379), 3 2B, 1 HR, 8 RBI, 5 SB
Rod Barajas - 4-for-11 (.364), 1 HR

Blake is 2-for-14 (.143), Ethier is 4-for-27 (.148) and Loney is 4-for-25 (.160) lifetime against Sanchez

Analysis: The Dodgers benefited from some sloppy Giant defense and luck in the first series. In this series, it appears they have the advantage on the mound with Kershaw vs. Bumgarner in Game 1. The second game has a chance to be a dandy, as both pitchers are dominant against the opposing team with Billingsley pitching well in AT&T Park in his career. Sanchez has great peripherals in his career against the Dodgers, but has been susceptible to the big hit. Lilly just does not pitch well against the Giants, even in the friendly confines of AT&T Park.

Prediction: Dodgers take the first game but lose the next two.

Next meeting: May 18-19 at Dodger Stadium

Series Preview: Dodgers at Padres April 8-10

Los Angeles Dodgers (3-3) at San Diego Padres (3-2)
April 8-10

Games: 7-9
Location: Petco Park
2011 record vs. Padres: N/A
2010 record vs. Padres: 8-11

2010: The Dodgers had trouble with the Padres in 2010. In other news, the sun is hot. The Padres have been a thorn in the Dodgers' side for years. The Dodgers won the first four of the first five games against the Padres, which gave us reason to think things had changed. However, they lost 10 of the last 14 against San Diego, ultimately losing the season series.

Game 1: Ted Lilly vs. Clayton Richard
Lilly career vs. Padres: 6-3, 3.06 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 8.79 K/9, .230 BAA
Richard career vs. Dodgers: 4-0, 2.56 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 5.97 K/9, .257 BAA

The best Padres' hitters vs. Lilly
Cameron Maybin - 2-for-4, 1 K
Chase Headley - .308/.357/.385, 1 2B, 1:3 BB/K ratio

Nick Hundley is 0-for-11, Orlando Hudson is 1-for-8 (.125) and Ryan Ludwick is 5-for-32 (.156) lifetime against Lilly.

The best Dodgers' hitters vs. Richard
Juan Uribe - .467/.529/.800, 1 HR, 2:3 BB/K ratio
Jamey Carroll - .455/.600/.455, 4:1 BB/K ratio
Matt Kemp - .357/.357/.429, 1 2B, 0:2 BB/K ratio

Andre Ethier is 1-for-12 (.083), Rafael Furcal is 1-for-10 (.100) and Rod Barajas is 1-for-7 (.143) lifetime against Richard.

Game 2: Hiroki Kuroda vs. Dustin Moseley
Kuroda career vs. Padres: 5-4, 4.61 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 5.10 K/9, .262 BAA
Mosley career vs. Dodgers: 2 IP, 2 H

The best Dodgers' hitters vs. Mosley
Uribe - 1-for-1, 1 HR
Aaron Miles - 1-for-1
Casey Blake - 2-for-7, 1 2B, 1:2 BB/K ratio

The best Padres' hitters vs. Kuroda
Will Venable - .438/.471/.688, 1 HR, 1:3 BB/K ratio
Brad Hawpe - .417/.385/.750, 1 HR, 0:2 BB/K ratio
Headley - .333/.400/.500, 3 2B, 2:6 BB/K ratio
Jorge Cantu - .333/.375/.600, 1 HR, 1:2 BB/K ratio

Ludwick is 1-for-8 (.125) and Hudson and Hundley are each 2-for-8 (.250) lifetime against Kuroda.

Game 3: Clayton Kershaw vs. Aaron Harang
Kershaw career vs. Padres: 4-3, 2.55 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 7.8 K/9, .210 BAA
Harang career vs. Dodgers: 2-6, 5.85 ERA, 1.57 WHIP, 7.36 K/9, .316 BAA

The best Dodgers' hitters vs. Harang
Furcal - .556/.571/.722, 3 2B, 2:2 BB/K ratio
Kemp - .333/.364/.778, 1 HR, 1:2 BB/K ratio
Miles - .316/.350/.316, 1:4 BB/K ratio

Uribe is 1-for-9 (.111) and Blake is 4-for-21 (.190) lifetime against Harang.

The best Padres' hitters vs. Kershaw
Hawpe - .308/.400/.846, 2 HR, 2:5 BB/K ratio
Hundley - .273/.333/.273, 1:2 BB/K ratio

Ludwick is 2-for-14 and Venable is 1-for-7 (.143) and Headley is 5-for-23 (.217) lifetime against Kershaw.

Analysis: The first game could be the best of the series, as both Lilly and Richard have had great success against each opposing team. The Dodgers often struggle against pitchers they've seen little of, which could give Moseley the upper-hand against Kuroda. Kershaw is a Padre killer while Harang has struggled big time against LA.

Prediction: Dodgers lose the first two games, with Kershaw throwing a gem on Sunday.

Next meeting: April 29-30 through May 1

Series Preview: Dodgers at Rockies April 5-6

Los Angeles Dodgers (3-1) at Colorado Rockies (1-1)
April 5-6

Games: 5-6
Location: Coors Field
2011 record vs. Rockies: N/A
2010 record vs. Rockies: 11-7

2010: The Dodgers took two of three games in the first three series' against the Rockies in 2010, jumping out to a 6-3 record. The Rockies managed to get the record even at 7-7 before the Dodgers won their final four games against Colorado. Clayton Kershaw threw seven shutout innings on Aug. 17 to continue his absolutely dominant second half.

Game 1: Clayton Kershaw vs. Jhoulys Chacin
Kershaw career vs. Rockies: 5-3, 3.63 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, 9.37 K/9, .227 BAA
Chacin career vs. Dodgers: 3-3, 2.84 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 8.05 K/9, .254 BAA

The best Rockies' hitters vs. Kershaw
Dexter Fowler - .368/.478/.526, 1 3B, 4:5 BB/K ratio
Jason Giambi - 2-for-6, 2 2B, 2:2 BB/K ratio

Carlos Gonzalez is 2-for-12 (.167), Troy Tulowitzki is 5-for-27 (.185), Ryan Spilborghs is 6-for-27 (.222) and Todd Helton is 5-for-21 lifetime against Kershaw.

The best Dodgers' hitters vs. Chacin
Andre Ethier - .500/.583/.700, 2 2B, 2:0 BB/K ratio
James Loney - .333/.421/.467, 2 2B, 3:2 BB/K ratio

Juan Uribe is 0-for-9, Matt Kemp is 3-for-17 (.176) and Jamey Carroll is 2-for-11 (.182) lifetime against Chacin.

Game 2: Chad Billingsley vs. Jason Hammel
Billingsley career vs. Rockies: 2-4, 4.88 ERA, 1.64 WHIP, 7.48 K/9, .264 BAA
Hammel career vs. Dodgers: 1-1, 3.31 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 7.13 K/9, .259 BAA

The best Rockies' hitters vs. Billingsley
Helton - .350/.458/.600, 1 HR, 4:3 BB/K ratio
Tulowitzki - .261/.320/.435, 1 HR, 2:3 BB/K ratio

Ian Stewart is 1-for-10 (.100), Seth Smith is 1-for-9 (.111) and Chris Iannetta is 1-for-7 (.143) lifetime against Billingsley.

The best Dodgers' hitters vs. Hammel
Jamey Carroll - 3-for-5, 2 2B, 2:1 BB/K ratio
Andre Ethier - .286/.375/.571, 1 HR, 2:7 BB/K ratio

Juan Uribe is 2-for-15 (.133), Matt Kemp and Tony Gwynn are each 3-for-13 (.231) and James Loney is 4-for-17 (.235) lifetime against Hammel.

Analysis: In an early-season short series, the Dodgers seem to have the advantage in both games. However, Chacin is a legitimate top-of-the-rotation starter and Hammel has had success against the Dodgers. The games are being played in Coors Field, which is always a wild card. Kershaw has given up six of his 31 career home runs allowed and Billingsley has a 14:17 K/BB ratio at Coors.

Prediction: It can go either way, but I'm predicting another split, with Kershaw out dueling Chacin in the first game.

Next meeting: May 30 through June 1 at Dodger Stadium

Series Preview: Giants at Dodgers March 31-April 3

San Francisco Giants at Los Angeles Dodgers
March 31 through April 3

Games: 1-4
Location: Dodger Stadium
2011 record vs. Giants: N/A
2010 record vs. Giants: 8-10

2010: The Dodgers got off to a hot start against the Giants in 2010, winning five of the first six contests. The Dodgers would go on to lose nine of the next 12 games against the Giants. Two performances that stand out include Chad Billingsley's shutout on July 21 at Dodger Stadium and Clayton Kershaw's 1-0 masterpiece in 'Frisco on Sept. 14.

Game 1: Tim Lincecum vs. Clayton Kershaw
Lincecum career vs. Dodgers: 5-1 W-L, 3.43 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 9.84 K/9
Kershaw career vs. Giants: 1-1 W-L, 1.46 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, 9.24 K/9

The best Giant hitters against Kershaw:
Miguel Tejada - .417/.417/.500, 1 2B, 0:1 BB/K ratio
Pat Burrell - .308/.267/.769, 1 HR, 0:3 BB/K ratio

Buster Posey is 1-for-9 (.111), Pablo Sandoval is 1-for-12 (.167) and Aubrey Huff is 2-for-11 (.182) lifetime against Kershaw.

The best Dodger hitters vs. Lincecum:
Rafael Furcal - .316/.500/.526, 1 HR, 7:4 BB/K ratio
Andre Ethier - .280/.379/.560, 2 HR, 4:7 BB/K ratio

Matt Kemp is 2-for-20 (.100) and James Loney is 5-for-27 (.185) lifetime against Lincecum.

Interesting note: Marcus Thames has faced Lincecum three times and has two home runs off him. Don Mattingly looks to be going with Tony Gwynn in left field on Opening Day, but it'd be interesting to see if Thames' performance against Lincecum was a fluke or for real (keep in mind, it's an extremely small sample size).

Game 2: Jonathan Sanchez vs. Chad Billingsley
Sanchez career vs. Dodgers: 2-5 W-L, 4.82 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 9.19 K/9
Billingsley career vs. Giants: 6-3 W-L, 2.63 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 7.36 K/9

The best Giant hitters against Billingsley:
Nate Schierholtz - .429/.467/.714, 2 2B, 1:4 BB/K ratio
Tejada - .389/.450/.611, 1 HR, 1:1 BB/K ratio
Posey - .385/.385/.462, 1 2B, 0:1 BB/K ratio
Aaron Rowand - .350/.423/.550, 1 HR, 4:5 BB/K ratio

Andre Torres is 2-for-14 (.143) and Sandoval is 4-for-27 (.148) lifetime against Billingsley.

The best Dodger hitters vs. Sanchez:
Kemp - .346/.414/.538, 1 HR, 3:7 BB/K ratio
Carroll - .300/.364/.500, 2 2B, 1:3 BB/K ratio

Ethier is 4-for-24 (.167), Loney is 4-for-23 (.174) and Furcal is 4-for-20 (.200) lifetime against Sanchez.

Game 3: Ted Lilly vs. Matt Cain
Cain career vs. Dodgers: 2-8 W-L, 3.76 ERA, 1.49 WHIP, 6.99 K/9
Lilly career vs. Giants: 3-2 W-L, 5.57 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, 6.00 K/9

The best Giant hitters against Lilly:
Posey - 3-for-5, 2 HR
Rowand - .333/.385/.542, 1 HR, 2:6 BB/K ratio
Freddy Sanchez - .333/.357/.481, 4 2B, 1:1 BB/K ratio
Tejada - .275/.327/.510, 3 HR, 4:9 BB/K ratio

Burrell is 1-for-11 (.091) and Huff is 5-for-29 (.172) lifetime against Lilly.

The best Dodger hitters vs. Cain:
Ethier - .488/.511/.561, 1 2B, 4:5 BB/K ratio
Loney - .378/.439/.568, 5 2B, 4:2 BB/K ratio
Jamey Carroll - .313/.353/.438, 1 3B, 1:3 BB/K ratio

Gwynn is 3-for-16 (.188) and Rod Barajas is 0-for-8 lifetime against Cain.

Game 4: Barry Zito vs. Hiroki Kuroda
Zito career vs. Dodgers: 6-8 W-L, 3.83 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 6.82 K/9
Kuroda career vs. Giants: 2-2 W-L, 3.56 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 6.07 K/9

The best Giant hitters against Kuroda:
Sandoval - .375/.333/.500, 1 2B, 0:0 BB/K ratio
Ross - .250/.250/.563, 1 HR, 0:3 BB/K ratio

Tejada is 2-for-14 (.143), Sanchez is 2-for-12 (.167) and Rowand is 1-for-11 (.091) lifetime against Kuroda.

The best Dodger hitters vs. Zito:
Kemp - .419/.500/.488, 1 3B, 7:9 BB/K ratio
Furcal - .342/.432/.526, 1 HR, 6:7 BB/K ratio
Barajas - .314/.368/.686, 3 HR, 3:5 BB/K ratio

Ethier is 5-for-29 (.172), Juan Uribe is 2-for-16 (.125) and Loney is 2-for-26 (.077) lifetime against Zito.

Analysis: This is shaping up to be a great series for pitching. There are some dominant starters going, but there are also some guys with major ownage on the pitchers (Ethier on Cain, Kemp on Zito, Tejada on Kershaw and Billingsley). The rivalry could be heightened with the Giants' success last season. The teams got into it a little last season, but there hasn't been a big-time spat in a few years (Eric Gagne v. Michael Tucker comes to mind, but even that was tame).

The Dodgers seemingly have the clear edge in Game 2, with the Giants, despite Cain's poor record against the Dodgers, having the edge in Game 3. Game 1 could go either way with the two aces on the mound. Game four also could go either way -- depending which Barry Zito shows up and if the Dodger hitters show up against him.

Prediction: Split, with the Dodgers winning the first two games of the series.

Next meeting: April 11-13 in San Francisco

#####

The Dodgers also officially announced their 25-man Opening Day roster. It is as follows:

Catchers (3)
A.J. Ellis
Rod Barajas
Hector Gimenez

Infielders (6)
Jamey Carroll
Ivan DeJesus
Rafael Furcal
James Loney
Aaron Miles
Juan Uribe

Outfielders (5)
Andre Ethier
Tony Gwynn
Matt Kemp
Xavier Paul
Marcus Thames

Rotation (4)
Chad Billingsley
Clayton Kershaw
Hiroki Kuroda
Ted Lilly

Bullpen (7)
Jonathan Broxton
Lance Cormier
Matt Guerrier
Blake Hawksworth
Kenley Jansen
Hong-Chih Kuo
Mike MacDougal

Thoughts: I was a little surprised the Dodgers kept three catchers, but it definitely isn't the worst move. Cormier over Elbert is a bit of a head-scratcher, but he shouldn't be around too long.