Preview: Dodgers, Giants Meet In First Of Seven Remaining Matchups

After being no-hit for the second time in nine days on Sunday, the Los Angeles Dodgers must quickly turn the page to play their biggest series of the year against the San Francisco Giants.

The Dodgers enter Monday’s contest with a 72-57 record, good for first place over the Giants by 3.5 games in the National League West. Over the last 10 games Los Angeles is 5-5 while San Francisco is 4-6. Additionally, the Dodgers are just 3-9 against their rival in 2015.

On the mound for Los Angeles is southpaw Brett Anderson (8-8, 3.36 ERA), who is coming off a solid start against the Cincinnati Reds. In 6.2 innings pitched, he did not give up an earned run while striking out four batters.

Anderson has previously faced the Giants four times this season with relatively mixed results. In his first two starts against them, he allowed seven earned runs in 8.2 innings (7.27 ERA) while his last two starts have been much better — four earned runs in 12.1 innings (2.92 ERA).

Opposing Anderson is right-handed pitcher Jake Peavy (4-6, 4.21 ERA), who is all too familiar with the Dodgers over the course of his career, from his days with the San Diego Padres and now the Giants. Though he hasn’t pitched against Los Angeles since the 2014 season, he owns a career 2.30 ERA and 0.97 WHIP in 180.1 innings against them.

In Peavy’s previous start against the Chicago Cubs five days ago, he earned his fourth win of the season, allowing just two earned runs in 6.1 innings while striking out three.

While the Dodgers offense has struggled for the most part in August, outfielder Andre Ethier is quietly having one of the best months of his career. In 66 plate appearances, his .377 batting average is tops in the National League and his 1.014 on-base plus slugging is amongst the league leaders, as well.

Speaking of outfielders, recent trade acquisition Marlon Byrd, filling in for the injured Hunter Pence, has thrived in his new role with the Giants thus far. Since being acquired by San Francisco, he has posted a 1.000 OPS with three home runs and 14 RBI in 39 plate appearances (nine games).

In other outfield news, Joc Pederson starts again in center field with Kiké Hernandez sidelined by a left hamstring strain suffered in Sunday’s loss.

Dodgers Lineup:

SS: Jimmy Rollins

2B: Chase Utley

1B: Adrian Gonzalez

3B: Justin Turner

RF: Andre Ethier

LF: Carl Crawford

C: Yasmani Grandal

CF: Joc Pederson

P: Brett Anderson

Giants Lineup:

LF: Nori Aoki

3B: Matt Duffy

1B: Brandon Belt

C: Buster Posey

RF: Marlon Byrd

SS: Brandon Crawford

2B: Kelby Tomlinson

CF: Gregor Blanco

P: Jake Peavy