Los Angeles @ San Francisco preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 15, 2013 ) San Francisco 4, LA Dodgers 3

In his short time with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Brian Wilson has already recorded a couple scoreless outings against the San Francisco Giants. On Tuesday, Wilson will return to San Francisco for the first time since joining the enemy when his Dodgers begin their final three-game road series of the regular season against the Giants. Wilson notched 171 saves in seven years with San Francisco, but was non-tendered by the Giants during the off-season after undergoing Tommy John surgery.

Wilson signed with the Dodgers as a free agent at the end of July and has allowed one run in 11 1/3 innings, becoming a vital part of their bullpen. San Francisco finished off its 10-game road trip – that began with three wins during a four-game set in Los Angeles – with a 2-1 victory over the New York Yankees on Sunday. The defending World Series champion Giants (72-84) have already wrapped up their first losing season since 2008.

TV: 10:15 p.m. ET, KCAL (Los Angeles), CSN Bay Area (San Francisco)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers LH Hyun-Jin Ryu (13-7, 3.03 ERA) vs. Giants RH Matt Cain (8-9, 4.06)

Since missing an early September start with a stiff back, Ryu has dropped each of his next two outings, although the Dodgers have only scored one run each time. The 26-year-old rookie absorbed the 2-1 loss last Monday at Arizona despite recording his second career two-hitter and allowing only one baserunner after the first inning. Ryu defeated San Francisco on July 5 and has faced the Giants four times, going 1-2 with a 2.81 ERA.

Cain did not factor into the decision in Wednesday’s loss at the New York Mets despite yielding an unearned run on six hits over 7 2/3 innings. The three-time All-Star has been brilliant since returning from the disabled list in early September, allowing three earned runs over his three starts in that time. Cain, who is 3-3 since the All-Star Game despite a 2.34 ERA, will look to improve his 5-9 record and 3.48 ERA in 27 career outings against the Dodgers.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Dodgers have recorded 21 shutouts, four more than any other team.

2. San Francisco has scored five runs over its last 40 innings and two runs or fewer in four straight games.

3. Los Angeles starters have posted a major league-best 3.13 ERA.

PREDICTION: Dodgers 3, Giants 1