San Francisco @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 20, 2012 ) San Francisco 2, LA Dodgers 1

After Madison Bumgarner and Clayton Kershaw opened the three-game series with a classic pitchers’ duel, the Giants and Dodgers continue their battle for the National League West on Tuesday. The division lead has changed three times since Thursday, with San Francisco taking a one-half game lead after Monday’s 2-1 win. The Giants have won six of their last nine games and 11 of 17 without a true closer in the bullpen. Manager Bruce Bochy is using a committee that includes Santiago Casilla, Sergio Romo, Jeremy Affeldt, Clay Hensley and Javier Lopez, who recorded Monday’s save.

Dodgers MVP candidate Matt Kemp went 0-for-4 in the series opener and is hitless in his last 19 at-bats. The team also needs more production from Andre Ethier, who is batting .205 (9-for-44) over his last 11 games. San Francisco is looking to keep Buster Posey in the lineup nearly every game, so he’ll start at first base Tuesday while Hector Sanchez takes Posey’s spot at catcher. Posey has hit higher than .400 since the All-Star break, but was 0-for-4 with three strikeouts Monday. The Giants are 3-2 since outfielder Melky Cabrera was suspended for 50 games following a positive test for testosterone.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants RH Tim Lincecum (6-12, 5.45 ERA) vs. Dodgers RH Joe Blanton (8-11, 4.96)

After posting a 2.72 ERA over his previous six starts, Lincecum’s disappointing season resumed Wednesday against the Nationals when he allowed four runs over four innings. He’s 6-5 with a 2.87 ERA in 17 career games (16 starts) against the Dodgers, including 1-1 with a 3.00 ERA and 16 strikeouts over 12 innings in two starts this season.

Blanton has struggled since being acquired by the Dodgers, allowing 14 runs in his last three starts. He is 0-3 with a 5.46 ERA in his last five outings and hasn’t won a game since July 13. Blanton, who was ejected for arguing in the fifth inning of his start Thursday against the Pirates, is 0-1 with a 4.85 ERA in two starts against San Francisco this season.

WALK-OFFS

1. Dodgers SS Luis Cruz went 2-for-4 on Monday and is batting .469 (15-for-32) over his last 11 games.

2. San Francisco has not lost a series on the road since dropping two of three games at Pittsburgh from July 6-8.

3. The Dodgers are 33-26 overall at home, but 6-10 since the All-Star break.