The Los Angeles Dodgers (89-67) have a playoff berth all sewn up, but the National League West is not mathematically cinched. Tonight, the Dodgers open up a three-game set vs. the San Francisco Giants (84-71) that could prove perilous. Live stream the game here; Dodgers fans can tune in to the radio broadcast on 570 Fox Sports LA, while Giants fans may do the same on 680 KNBR. The Dodgers will send Dan Haren (13-11, 4.14 ERA) to the mound to oppose Jake Peavy (6-4, 2.16 ERA).
The Dodgers are 4.5 games up on the Giants, but that doesn't mean Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp will be lifting his foot off the gas pedal.
"I want to win out. I want to have the best record in the National League. That would say something about our team. The home-field advantage is important," Kemp said.
The Giants will be going after the Dodgers without one of their big guns, outfielder Angel Pagan. He has hit .300 this season with 16 stolen bases, and Haren acknowledged that San Francisco isn't the same without him atop the order.
"It would be like us with Dee [Gordon] out of the lineup -- it changes things," Haren said. "He's definitely their catalyst. He plays with a lot of energy; he's played well against us. We're planning on him being in there. I've done my scouting assuming he's playing."
Despite the 4.5-game gap, Dodgers manager Don Mattingly is expecting an intense three games that may serve as a prelude for playoff atmosphere.
"It's good for baseball and the fans. The matchup is good for the game, two quality organizations butting heads," Mattingly said. "The energy level is always up playing against them; it's just natural. You don't have to push that. It's easy energy. That's why I talk a lot about letdown afterward."
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