PROGRAMMING NOTE: Giants Pregame Live begins at 6:30 on CSN Bay Area, followed by Giants-Dodgers from Chavez Ravine, with Giants Postgame Live immediately after the final out.
The Dodgers lead the Giants by a half-game in the NL West as the arch rivals open a three-game series in Los Angeles tonight.
Thus far in 2012, the Dodgers have taken five of nine from the Giants, including a sweep in San Francisco July 27-29.
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After this series the two clubs still play six more times this season: September 7-9 at AT&T Park, and October 1-3 in L.A. for the final three games of the regular season.
Joaquin Arias will make his third straight start at shorstop, while Gregor Blanco, who Bruce Bochy has refrained from using against lefties, will start in left field in place of Justin Christian.
Giants
1. Angel Pagan (S) CF
2. Marco Scutaro (R) 2B
3. Pablo Sandoval (S) 3B
4. Buster Posey (R) C
5. Hunter Pence (R) RF
6. Joaquin Arias (R) SS
7. Brandon Belt (L) 1B
8. Gregor Blanco (L) LF
9. Madison Bumgarner (R) P
Los Angeles Dodgers
1. Shane Victorino (S) LF
2. Mark Ellis (R) 2B
3. Matt Kemp (R) CF
4. Hanley Ramirez (R) SS
5. Andre Ethier (L) RF
6. Juan Rivera (R) 1B
7. Luis Cruz (R) 3B
8. A.J. Ellis (R) C
9. Clayton Kershaw (L) P