Gary A. Vasquez-USA Today Sports
If you’re a fan of the rivalry between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Francisco Giants, then you’ll love this series. If you’re into watching crafty left-handed pitchers work against each others batting lineup, then you’ll love game one of this series.
How could you not be a fan of the Giants’ Barry Zito? He came into the league on fire, took a bigger contract and crossed the bay, then lost his ability to get anybody out. After several seasons of barely hanging onto his job, mostly because of his untradeable contract, Zito is back.
In turn, how can you not be a fan of the Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw? The easy going Texan who has been dominant ever since he put on his Dodger blues is by far the most identifiable personality for L.A. and he’s on pace again to be a 20 game winner.
Kershaw is on the road in San Francisco for this one, but may still get some love because he is returning from his father’s funeral earlier in the week. He is too good of a guy and too good of a pitcher to not root for.
But then again…we’re talking about the Giants and Dodgers. There is no love lost between these two west coast rivals.
There are plenty of back-stories like these to find in tonight’s matchup. But the main thing is the NL West standings. The Dodgers can’t seem to string more than two wins together and the Giants are coming off a three game sweep of the Arizona Diamondbacks, but got swept the series before by the San Diego Padres.
So, both teams are plagued with inconsistency and they both are looking up to the Colorado Rockies who are in first place.
But if you like good left handed pitching and are into rooting for the underdog, then Friday night’s Dodgers-Giants game is for you.
Kenny Bristow is a Los Angeles Dodgers writer for www.RantSports.com.
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