San Francisco @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 7, 2013 ) LA Dodgers 4, San Francisco 1

The Los Angeles Dodgers have taken on some hefty contracts over the past year, but one of the most astute moves was signing Zack Greinke to a six-year free-agent deal last December. Greinke has given the Dodgers a healthy return on their investment during their charge toward a division title and will take a six-game winning streak into Thursday's opener of a four-game series against the visiting San Francisco Giants. Matt Cain will take the mound for the Giants.

The Dodgers have a magic number of six to clinch the National League West and have a chance to wrap up the title at the expense of their most bitter rival. San Francisco has undergone a stunning drop-off after winning two World Series in the last three years, and it has been particularly inept on the road with a 28-42 record. The Giants wrapped up a 4-3 stretch at home against Arizona and Colorado - their first winning homestand since May 20-26.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants RH Matt Cain (8-9, 4.37 ERA) vs. Dodgers RH Zack Greinke (14-3, 2.79)

Cain's streak of four straight seasons with double-digit wins is in jeopardy, although he has deserved a better fate after yielding three runs or fewer in 14 of his last 15 outings. He took the hard-luck loss last time out versus Pittsburgh, giving up two runs in 6 1/3 innings of a 2-1 setback to Arizona. Cain has pitched well away from home, going 4-2 with a 3.77 ERA in 11 starts.

Greinke is 6-0 during a dominant eight-start stretch in which he has surrendered a total of 10 runs. He has not lost since falling to Cincinnati on July 25, which marks the last time he permitted more than two runs. Greinke has been magnificent at home, posting an 8-1 record with a 2.20 ERA and 0.98 WHIP in 12 starts while holding opposing hitters to a .210 batting average.

WALK-OFFS

1. Dodgers RF Yasiel Puig hit his 16th homer Thursday, the most by a Los Angeles rookie since Raul Mondesi his 16 in 1994.

2. Giants 1B Brandon Belt has multiple hits in five of nine games this month.

3. Dodgers SS Hanley Ramirez had recorded five two-hit performances in his last seven games to boost his batting average to .342.

PREDICTION: Dodgers 4, Giants 2