San Francisco @ Los Angeles preview
Dodger Stadium
Last Meeting ( Apr 16, 2010 ) San Francisco 8, LA Dodgers 10
A red-hot hitter against one of the top pitchers in the game highlights the action when the Los Angeles Dodgers host the San Francisco Giants in Saturday’s second game of a three-game series.
Budding superstar Matt Kemp has homered in four consecutive games for the Dodgers and he’ll be vying to stretch that streak to five against two-time Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum of the Giants.
Kemp homered in all three games of the series against the Arizona Diamondbacks and then went deep in his first at-bat in Friday’s series-opening contest against San Francisco.
His task at extending the streak figures to be challenging. Kemp has never homered in 12 career at-bats against Lincecum. In fact, he has just one hit and has struck out six times.
So if Lincecum is on his game, it will be no surprise to see Kemp’s streak end during the nationally televised afternoon contest.
Lincecum (2-0) went seven innings in each of his first two starts and has a 1.29 ERA. He has allowed just nine hits and one walk while striking out 17.
Lincecum’s career mark against the Dodgers is 3-1 with a 3.38 ERA. Los Angeles hitters are batting a collective .199 against him.
Kemp is batting .333 this season and has five homers and 15 RBIs. Philadelphia Phillies slugger Chase Utley (six) is the only player with more home runs this season, while Kemp’s 15 RBIs are tied for most in the majors.
Kemp broke through in a big fashion last season with 26 homers and 101 RBIs. His quick start suggests he’ll likely top both totals this year, barring injury.
Knuckleballer Charlie Haeger (0-0) will oppose Lincecum. Haegar struck out a career-best 12 and allowed just three hits in six innings in a no-decision against the Florida Marlins on April 11 in his first start of the season.
Haeger actually pitched an inning of relief three days later but isn’t expected to be hindered on Saturday due to the knuckleball being a pitch that’s easy on the arm.
The Dodgers won Friday’s first game of the series, 10-8, behind two homers and five RBIs from Andre Ethier. The Giants scored five in the top of the ninth to make it close.
Both teams could be without a key outfielder Saturday.
Giants center fielder Aaron Rowand was hit in the head by a Vicente Padilla pitch and left the game. He was transported to a nearby hospital for evaluation.
Dodgers left fielder Manny Ramirez left the game with tightness in a calf muscle. Ramirez isn’t expected to play Saturday since manager Joe Torre previously was planning to rest him.