San Francisco @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 20, 2011 ) San Francisco 1, LA Dodgers 2

THE STORY: The San Francisco Giants stand 5 1/2 games behind in the National League West and 4 1/2 games back in the wild card race, but at least they won't have to face Clayton Kershaw again when their series with the host Los Angeles Dodgers continues Wednesday. Kershaw won his 20th game Tuesday and helped snap San Francisco's eight-game winning streak while improving to 5-0 against the Giants this season.

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, CSNBA, Prime Ticket

PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants RH Ryan Vogelsong (11-7, 2.68 ERA) vs. Dodgers LH Dana Eveland (2-1, 2.25 ERA)

Vogelsong ended his five-game losing streak when he allowed two runs and struck out eight over 5 1/3 innings against the Rockies last Friday. He is 1-2 with a 4.34 ERA in 12 career games against the Dodgers.

After giving up one run over 15 innings in his first two starts with the Dodgers, Eveland allowed four runs in five innings last Thursday against Pittsburgh.

ABOUT THE GIANTS (83-71): Third baseman Pablo Sandoval didn’t start Tuesday, and it’s possible he’ll need offseason surgery on his strained left shoulder. The switch-hitting Sandoval is experiencing pain when swinging right-handed, so he’ll likely sit again Wednesday against the left-handed Eveland. He struck out as a pinch hitter Tuesday, but he remained in the game to play third base. Cody Ross (hamstring) is hoping to return as a pinch hitter this weekend, although he may put those plans on hold if the Giants are out of playoff contention. Nate Schierholtz (foot) is also working to return by the weekend. Tim Lincecum’s 13-13 record only tells part of the story. Tuesday’s game was the 11th time this season he received zero run support, which leads the National League. Lincecum also received two runs or fewer in 20 out of his 32 starts.

ABOUT THE DODGERS (77-76): Several Dodgers talked this week about the possibility of signing Prince Fielder as a free agent over the offseason and moving James Loney to left field, but Jerry Sands is doing his best to remain in the conversation. Sands extended his hitting streak to eight games Tuesday with a home run off Tim Lincecum, and he has eight hits over his last three games. Manager Don Mattingly said the team needs a power hitter in left field next season, and Sands figures to be in the mix. Tony Gwynn (shoulder) is eager to return this season, but Mattingly said he doesn’t want to risk Gwynn aggravating the shoulder with just nine games remaining. Matt Kemp won the Dodgers’ Roy Campanella Award, given to the player who best exemplifies the spirit of the late Hall of Fame catcher. With two hits Tuesday, Kemp set a career high with 182 hits this season.

FINAL PITCH: Kershaw became the first Dodgers pitcher to win 20 games since Ramon Martinez went 20-6 in 1990. He's the 16th 20-game winner in Dodgers’ history.