San Francisco @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 14, 2013 ) San Francisco 19, LA Dodgers 3

The Los Angeles Dodgers might want to consider pitching around Hunter Pence when they host the San Francisco Giants in Sunday’s series finale. Pence homered for the third straight game and drove in seven runs in Saturday’s 19-3 rout. The Giants look to post their sixth victory in eight games after setting a Dodger Stadium record for runs scored.

Los Angeles' magic number to clinch the National League West stands at four with 14 games to play, and it could be without several starters as it aims for a series split on Sunday. Shortstop Hanley Ramirez (back) and outfielder Andre Ethier (ankle) are not expected to return until next week, while Carl Crawford is dealing with a stiff back that could keep him out. The Dodgers added help for their depleted outfield on Saturday by promoting rookies Alex Castellanos and Nick Buss from Triple-A Albuquerque.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants RH Ryan Vogelsong (3-5, 5.82 ERA) vs. Dodgers RH Edinson Volquez (9-11, 5.99)

Vogelsong surrendered a total of 12 runs over 15 2/3 innings in his last three starts. After a shaky outing against Colorado on Tuesday, he suggested his participation in the World Baseball Classic during spring training may have contributed to his poor season. A.J. Ellis is 4-for-13 with a home run against the 35-year-old, who is 4-3 with a 3.86 ERA in 18 career appearances against Los Angeles.

Volquez turned in a quality start against the Diamondbacks on Tuesday, allowing three runs over six innings. The 30-year-old has gone 0-1 with a 5.73 ERA in his first three appearances with Los Angeles after being released by San Diego on Aug. 27. Pablo Sandoval is 6-for-11 against Volquez, who is 0-1 with a 7.31 ERA in three starts versus the Giants this season.

WALK-OFFS

1. OF Matt Kemp (ankle/hamstring) ran the bases on Saturday and could be activated from the disabled list as early as Monday, when the Dodgers begin a four-game series in Arizona.

2. Giants 1B Brandon Belt is batting .363 (53-for-146) with six home runs and 23 RBIs since Aug. 1.

3. Dodgers INF Dee Gordon made his first career appearance at second base in Saturday’s loss.

PREDICTION: Dodgers 7, Giants 5