Los Angeles @ San Diego preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 24, 2011 ) LA Dodgers 0, San Diego 3

THE STORY: Both teams are out of playoff contention, but Sunday’s game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and host San Diego Padres still figures to draw plenty of attention. While MVP candidate Matt Kemp continues his bid to become the first Triple Crown winner in 44 years, Clayton Kershaw attempts to strengthen his case for the Cy Young Award in his final start. San Diego is just 5-12 against the Dodgers this season.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, Prime Ticket, Channel 4SD

PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers LH Clayton Kershaw (20-5, 2.27 ERA) at Padres LH Cory Luebke (6-9, 3.23 ERA).

Kershaw leads the National League in wins, ERA, strikeouts (242) and opponents batting average (.208). He ranks second in strikeouts per nine innings (9.6) and winning percentage (.800) and is third in innings pitched (226) and complete games (five). He is 2-0 against the Padres this season with a 2.50 ERA in two starts.

Luebke, who has allowed two runs in each of his last three starts, is 1-1 with a 2.60 ERA in three career games - two starts - against the Dodgers. He allowed two runs on one hit over seven innings in his last start at Colorado.

ABOUT THE DODGERS (79-78): Outfielder Jerry Sands, who extended his hitting streak to a career-high 12 games Saturday with a double in the sixth inning, is batting .435 (20-for-46) during the streak. Shortstop Dee Gordon extended his hitting streak to 11 games Saturday and leads all National League rookies with 23 steals. Manager Don Mattingly has all but said Gordon will enter next season as the Dodgers’ starting shortstop. Gordon is batting .298 in 205 at-bats, and Mattingly said he could steal as many as 60 bases next season if he starts for a full year. Entering Sunday, Kemp’s .325 average is six points behind Ryan Braun, while his 37 homers are tied for the league lead and his 119 RBIs were six ahead of Ryan Howard.

ABOUT THE PADRES (69-89): Padres manager Bud Black said the decision to pull Aaron Harang after eight shutout innings Saturday “was really one of the toughest calls of the year for me.” Harang retired 20 of the last 21 batters he faced and allowed only three hits in the win. The San Diego native finished the season with 14-7 with a 3.64 ERA. He was 18-38 in the three previous seasons in Cincinnati. The Padres are expected to pick up Harang’s $5 million option for next season, and he could be the team’s opening day starter next season if Mat Latos doesn’t get the nod. Catcher Nick Hundley received the day off Saturday, but he’ll likely be in the lineup for the Padres’ final four games. Since returning from the disabled list on Aug. 12, Hundley is hitting .377 (43-for-114) with five home runs and 11 RBIs.

FINAL PITCH: Kershaw is 7-0 with a 0.62 ERA over his last eight games. He’s the first Dodger to win 20 games since Ramon Martinez in 1990.