Clayton Kershaw matches up with Tim Lincecum for the third time this season as the Los Angeles Dodgers open up a three-game series against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park. The weekend series ends the Dodgers' season-long four-city road trip which began as 11 games but will end as a 10-game trip thanks to Thursday's cancellation in Washington D.C. against the Nationals.
Kershaw beat Lincecum in both matchups this season, as the left-hander did not allow a run on opening day in Los Angeles nor July 20 in San Francisco. In both games, Lincecum allowed one run in seven innings and got tagged with the loss. Kershaw could use a boost for his Cy Young candidacy, and two matchups against Lincecum in 12 days should provide that opportunity.
In addition to Friday night, both Kershaw and Lincecum will likely pitch against one another on September 20 in the opener of a three-game series in Los Angeles.
Kershaw is 17-5 on the season with a 2.45 ERA, and he leads the National League with 222 strikeouts, 10 behind Justin Verlander for the major league lead. Not to get too far ahead of ourselves, but with eight scoreless innings Friday night against the Giants, Kershaw would overtake Johnny Cueto of the Cincinnati Reds for the major league lead in ERA, 2.3588 to 2.3632.
The Dodgers beat the Giants in three of four games in Los Angeles to open the season, but the Giants have won six of the past eight meetings, including four of six in Los Angeles. The Dodgers have lost their last four series at AT&T Park, dating back to last season, and are 3-9 in their last 12 games in San Francisco. All three wins were starts by Clayton Kerhsaw.
Friday night's 7:15 p.m. PDT game will be televised on Prime Ticket. For more Dodgers news and information, be sure to read True Blue LA.