San Francisco @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 1, 2012 ) San Francisco 2, LA Dodgers 3

The Los Angeles Dodgers will learn early in their game Tuesday whether they still have a shot at the second National League wild card spot. The Cardinals clinched at least a tie for the second NL wild card with a 4-2 win over Cincinnati on Monday, which means Los Angeles will be eliminated from the postseason with one more loss or a St. Louis victory. The Cardinals’ game Tuesday against the Reds begins approximately two hours before the Dodgers face the visiting San Francisco Giants. Los Angeles has matched its longest winning streak of the season at six games, while the Giants are merely getting ready for the postseason after clinching the NL West last week.

After slumping in early September, Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez has been on a tear in recent weeks. He went 2-for-4 on Monday to extend his hitting streak to 13 games, and he has exactly two hits in seven of his last eight games. The Giants are in danger of losing their first road series since July 6-8, but they’re more focused on preparing for the first game of the NL Division Series against either Washington or Cincinnati. Matt Cain will start game one on his normal four days of rest after pitching five innings on Monday.

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, CS Bay Area (San Francisco), KCAL (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants LH Barry Zito (14-8, 4.19 ERA) vs. Dodgers LH Chris Capuano (12-11, 3.69)

Zito is making a strong push for the Giants’ postseason rotation, allowing six runs over 24 2/3 innings through his last four outings. He is 8-10 with a 3.74 ERA in 25 career games against the Dodgers, including 2-2 with a 2.55 ERA in four outings this season. Andre Ethier is 7-for-41 (.171) with nine strikeouts against Zito in his career.

Capuano recorded his first win since Aug. 12 on Thursday against the Padres, giving up one run in 5 1/3 innings. The strong outing was a surprise for Capuano, who was 0-3 with a 6.13 ERA in his previous seven starts. He is 0-1 with a 6.00 ERA in two starts against San Francisco this season.

WALK-OFFS

1. Giants 2B Marco Scutaro has hit safely in a career-best 18 games, giving him the longest active hitting streak in the majors.

2. Los Angeles starters have allowed only two runs in their last 26 innings and have posted a 1.24 ERA in the team’s last 10 games dating to Sept. 21.

3. Giants catcher Buster Posey, who leads the NL in batting with a .336 average, left Monday’s game as a precaution with back spasms.