San Francisco @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 5, 2014 ) San Francisco 7, LA Dodgers 2

The Los Angeles Dodgers must be getting tired of losing to the rival San Francisco Giants, especially on their home field. The Dodgers have lost five straight at Dodger Stadium against San Francisco, a streak that dates back to last September, and most of those losses haven’t been close, as Los Angeles has been outscored 42-14 in that span. The Giants took advantage of a big early lead to win Friday’s series opener, but didn’t heat up Saturday until their third time through the order, when they scored four runs on back-to-back homers from Pablo Sandoval and Buster Posey to open up a five-run lead.

The Dodgers aren’t getting anywhere near the same type of production from the meat of their order. Hanley Ramirez, Adrian Gonzalez and Matt Kemp are each hitting below .200 with not much pop to show for the hits they have accumulated. Kemp looked especially awkward Saturday in his second start of the season after coming back from offseason ankle surgery, striking out in his first two at-bats, grounding out with a runner at second to end the sixth and then hitting into a double play in the ninth.

TV: 8:05 p.m., ESPN2

PITCHING MATCHUP: San Francisco RH Matt Cain (0-0, 3.60 ERA) vs. Dodgers RH Zack Greinke (1-0, 3.60)

Cain hasn’t hasn't had the type of success against the Dodgers a pitcher of his caliber should. He has won just five of his 15 career decisions against Los Angeles, though his 3.45 ERA suggests he may be a victim of inadequate run support. Andre Ethier, one of the few Dodgers hitting his weight this season, is batting .441 in his career against Cain.

Greinke is just what the Dodgers need right now -- someone who can keep the score close and give their top hitters a chance to get untracked. He did that on Monday against the Padres after the bullpen gave the game away the night before in their U.S. opener in San Diego, allowing two runs in five innings as the Dodgers led the whole way in a 3-2 victory. Greinke faced the Giants for just the second time in his career last September, allowing one run on four hits in six innings before Gonzalez ended the 3-2 victory with a walk-off single in the 10th inning.

EXTRA BASES

1. Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen threw 22 pitches in relief Saturday because the Dodgers haven't been in a save situation since Tuesday.

2. San Francisco has won four straight, two short of its longest winning streak last season.

3. Giants OF Angel Pagan (.407) has hit safely in all six games, including four multi-hit efforts.

PREDICTION: Dodgers 5, Giants 2