San Francisco @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Mar 8, 2013 ) LA Dodgers 0, San Francisco 0

The San Francisco Giants hope to follow up their World Series title with better results than 2011, when they failed to make the playoffs after winning the championship the season before. The Giants open in Los Angeles on Monday having recently locked up catcher Buster Posey with a nine-year, $167-million deal, the longest contract in franchise history. The Dodgers dug deep into their pocketbook in the offseason, signing right-hander Zack Greinke to a six-year, $147-million contract, but tenderness in his throwing elbow and a shaky spring training already has management holding its breath.

The Giants aren’t expecting to see the 2008 version of Tim Lincecum, but they’d take something similar to the pitcher they had in 2010. Lincecum has seen his numbers tumble from 18-5 with a 2.62 ERA in 2008 to 16-10 and 3.43 in 2010 and then 10-15 and 5.18 last season. Still just 28 years of age, Lincecum has plenty of time to bounce back. The Dodgers are hoping for a healthier year from outfielder Matt Kemp. After nearly winning the Triple Crown in 2011, Kemp was limited to 106 games last season because of hamstring, knee and shoulder injuries.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, ESPN, Prime Ticket (Los Angeles), Comcast SportsNet Bay Area (San Francisco)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers LH Clayton Kershaw (2012: 14-9, 2.53 ERA) vs. Giants RH Matt Cain (16-5, 2.79 ERA)

Kershaw took a slight step back last season after his Cy Young-winning performance of 2011, but still made at least 30 starts for the fourth consecutive year and finished second in the Cy Young voting. He has been particularly tough on the Giants in his career, owning a 1.37 ERA in 16 starts and posting two of his five shutouts. Kershaw hasn’t received much run support against San Francisco, however, winning eight of 12 decisions. In his final start of last season, he allowed one run on three hits in eight innings against the Giants, helping the Dodgers to a 5-1 victory.

Cain was the starting pitcher in the fourth and deciding game of last fall’s World Series and has been rewarded with the first Opening Day start of his nine-year career. He won a career-best 16 games last season, which helped him finish sixth in Cy Young voting. Cain hasn’t been as successful against the Dodgers, owning a 4-8 mark in 23 starts, his worst winning percentage against opponents with at least 10 career starts. Cain has been good against Kemp, however, holding him to 10-for-46, including two for his last 21.

WALK-OFFS

1. Dodgers SS Hanley Ramirez will be out another eight weeks after suffering a right thumb injury during the World Baseball Classic. Justin Sellers is expected to start in his place.

2. Los Angeles OF Carl Crawford, acquired in a trade with the Red Sox last August, is expected to play his first regular-season game for the Dodgers. Crawford was limited to 31 games last season because of wrist and elbow surgeries.

3. Giants 3B Pablo Sandoval had just two at-bats since March 16 because of a lingering right elbow injury that could force him to sit out the opener.

PREDICTION: Dodgers 3, Giants 2