San Francisco @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( May 21, 2015 ) LA Dodgers 0, San Francisco 4

The Los Angeles Dodgers were completely stymied by the San Francisco Giants when they last met, unable to score a run in three straight games against their archrivals. The Dodgers’ offense is struggling again, which gives the Giants an opportunity to close their 2 ½-game gap on the National League West leaders when they begin a three-game series in Los Angeles on Friday.

San Francisco outscored the Dodgers 10-0 during a three-game sweep at AT&T Park from May 19-21, allowing the Giants to improve to 7-2 against Los Angeles this season. The reigning World Series champions are the only team to sweep the Dodgers in 2015 – having done so twice – and appeared to be on the verge of overtaking them for the division lead in early June before their own offensive woes led to a five-game losing streak. Los Angeles, which took two of three when it hosted the Giants in late April, avoided a four-game home-and-home sweep against Texas with a 1-0 victory Thursday when pinch-runner Kike Hernandez scored on a two-out balk in the ninth inning. The Dodgers are averaging two runs while going 2-4 over their last six contests and have scored no more than two runs in any of their losses to the Giants.

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, NBC Bay Area (San Francisco), SportsNet LA (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants RH Chris Heston (6-5, 3.76 ERA) vs. Dodgers RH Mike Bolsinger (4-1, 2.25)

Heston was unable to recapture the magic that led to his first no-hitter June 9, giving up three runs (two earned) on seven hits and four walks over five frames in Sunday’s 4-0 loss to Arizona. The 27-year-old East Carolina alum has done his best work under the lights this season, going 5-2 with a 2.32 ERA in eight night outings. Heston, who made his first two big-league appearances out of the bullpen in September against Los Angeles, will draw his first career start against the Dodgers on Friday.

Bolsinger remained unbeaten over his last three starts despite experiencing one of his worst outings of the season Sunday, yielding two runs over 4 2/3 innings during an inefficient 89-pitch no-decision at San Diego. The Texas native has been a pleasant surprise since joining the rotation nearly two months ago, however, allowing two runs or fewer in seven of his eight turns. Bolsinger made his Dodger debut on April 23 against the Giants but did not factor into the decision, permitting one run in 5 2/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Giants lead the majors with 11 shutouts, while the Dodgers are tied with Oakland for second place with nine.

2. Los Angeles posted its sixth walk-off win Thursday, matching its total from all of last season.

3. San Francisco is hopeful that OF Gregor Blanco, who has been out since June 7 with a concussion, will be cleared in time for the opener.

PREDICTION: Dodgers 3, Giants 2