Dodgers Vs. Giants Preview: NL West Title Within Reach

After all the struggles of a MLB season, the only number on the Los Angeles Dodgers’ minds is one. A season full of rumors, outfield dilemmas and more, has resulted in the Dodgers just being one game away from clinching the NL West.

After Tuesday’s 4-2 victory, which was led by a fantastic performance from Zack Greinke, the Dodgers give the ball to the player who has carried them throughout the season.

Taking the hill for the Dodgers is Clayton Kershaw. A name that has struck fear into the hearts of many opponents, will look to add to his accomplishments of another historic season by clinching the division against the Dodgers long-time rivals. On the season, the southpaw is 20-3 with a 1.80 ERA.

In his last start of the regular season, Kershaw looks to solidify his Cy Young Award case and to make a final statement for the possibility of being the NL MVP. The 26 year old has won his last six starts and looks to win his 21st game this season against a team he’s had great success against.

In 24 career starts against the Giants, Kershaw is 13-5 with a 1.44 ERA. In three starts against the Giants this season, the Dodger ace is 2-0 with a 1.88 ERA with one of the wins a complete-game performance at AT&T Park.

Starting for the Giants is Tim Hudson. In 30 starts this season, Hudson is 9-12 with a 3.52 ERA. In his last three starts, the right-hander is 0-3 and has allowed 14 runs in 11.1 innings. Hudson is looking at his first losing season in his career and will try to salvage a series win and postseason berth with a victory on Wednesday.

In 16 career starts against the Dodgers, Hudson is 6-5 with a 3.98 ERA, but his last start against the Dodgers was one to forget; the veteran right-hander allowed six runs on eight hits in just one inning.

Dee Gordon returns to second base and Carl Crawford starts in left field after they both got a night off against Madison Bumgarner on Tuesday.

Dodgers Lineup

2B: Gordon

CF: Puig

1B: Gonzalez

RF: Kemp

SS: Ramirez

LF: Crawford

3B: Uribe

C: Ellis

P: Kershaw

Giants Lineup

RF: Pence

2B: Panik

1B: Posey

3B: Sandoval

C: Susac

LF: Dominguez

SS: Arias

CF: Blanco

P: Hudson