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Giants try to end slide against playoff-bound Dodgers

Sep 26, 2008 - 10:24 AM LA Dodgers (83-76) at San Francisco (70-89) 10:35 p.m. EDT

SAN FRANCISCO (Ticker) -- The San Francisco Giants are struggling, but thankfully the Los Angeles Dodgers have already clinched a playoff berth.

The Giants try to snap a three-game losing streak when they host the Dodgers on Friday.

San Francisco was outscored 27-11 during a sweep by the Colorado Rockies, falling to 2-8 over its last 10 games. The Giants face archrival Los Angeles, which clinched the National League West title for the first time since 2004 when the second-place Arizona Diamondbacks suffered a 12-3 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday.

As a result, the Dodgers will likely rest many of their regulars this weekend, including Manny Ramirez. The 36-year-old Ramirez has been red-hot since joining Los Angeles from the Boston Red Sox on July 31, registering a .393 batting average with 17 home runs and 53 RBI in 51 games.

Derek Lowe (14-11, 3.29 ERA), who is expected to start the Dodgers' first playoff game, will tune up for the postseason in the opener. Lowe had won four consecutive starts before taking a no-decision on Sunday. The 35-year-old righthander pitched seven scoreless innings, allowing five hits and three walks while striking out seven as Los Angeles suffered a 1-0 loss to San Francisco.

Brad Hennessey (1-2, 8.65) goes for his first win since April 8 when he counters for the Giants. Hennessey, 28, spent most of the season in the minors before being recalled from Class AAA Fresno on September 1.