Dodgers Giants Game 3 Preview

See guys? The Dodgers knew what they were doing all along.

They could have won a couple games in Colorado and celebrated against the last-place Rockies. They could have clinched on Monday in San Francisco against Jake Peavy. And that would have been pretty cool.

Sep 29, 2015; San Francisco, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) leans his head back with his arm wrapped in the dugout after the eighth inning against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

But this is the happiest timeline. In San Francisco. Against “big game” pitcher Madison Bumgarner. With “choke artist” Clayton Kershaw on the mound. The final pitch thrown by Bumgarner was a homer by A.J. Ellis, who was the target of some world-class pettiness by the Giants announcers a few weeks ago. It amazes me that some people try to put these guys in the same class as Vin. My only complaint was that no one bat-flipped off MadBum last night, but I guess it couldn’t be a perfect night.

My absolute favorite perk of the Dodgers clinching last night is that tonight’s game is on ESPN. I’m sure ESPN was hoping the Dodgers would clinch on their watch. NOPE. INSTEAD YOU GET THE POST-CLINCH EVERYONE-IS-HUNGOVER LINEUP. THIS IS WHAT YOU GET FOR ALL THE LEBRON AND TEBOW COVERAGE (but seriously thank you for showing the game so I don’t have to watch using questionably legal methods).

Mike Bolsinger gets the start in possibly the most meaningless game of the season for the Dodgers. Home field would be lovely in the playoffs. But last night the Dodgers won the division for the third straight year, for the first time in franchise history. They deserve a day free from criticism.

Bolsinger hasn’t been as sharp since he returned to the rotation in September. He’s given up 12 earned runs in four September starts and hasn’t pitched past the fifth inning in any of his last five starts. He was great early on, he’s coming back down to earth. Still probably a solid back-of-the-rotation option, but not much more and that’s okay because every team needs a few Bolsingers.

The Giants counter with Mike Leake, who was supposed to be their big move at the trade deadline and instead got hurt. He’s been less than effective in his eight starts, posting a 1-5 record and a 4.86 ERA (5.02 FIP). The Giants have lost six of his eight starts, so I would love to hear the pundits that claimed this move was better than the Dodgers acquiring Alex Wood, Luis Avilan, Jose Peraza and Jim Jo(mumble) for nothing.

Leake pitched well in his only start as a Giant against the Dodgers, holding LA to two runs though seven innings at Dodger Stadium. However, that was the Kershaw 132-pitch game, so no one could have beaten him that night.

Well that’s disappointing. This might actually be the first time I’ve been disappointed by a Dodger lineup this season. The only weird thing is Austin Barnes behind the plate, which isn’t all that weird with Yasmani Grandal at first.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:15 PST and will be shown on ESPN without blackouts! Seriously everyone no criticism tonight. Just enjoy that for the first time in franchise history, they’re playoff bound for the third straight year.