SAN FRANCISCO -- The Los Angeles Dodgers looked like a team that had clinched the postseason the night before, losing a sleepy 5-0 game to the San Francisco Giants Wednesday night.
How it happened: Mike Bolsinger had another shaky start. He was out of the game in the fourth inning after allowing three runs on four hits. Matt Duffy hit a two-run home run off Bolsinger in the first inning. He did, however, show a decent curveball against a very young San Francisco lineup, striking seven batters. Because the Dodgers could have starter Alex Wood in their bullpen if they go with only three starters in the NLDS, Bolsinger's chances of making the Dodgers' postseason roster appear slim.
The Dodgers, fielding a lineup without three regulars after clinching the NL West the night before, didn't do much against San Francisco starter Mike Leake. They had some base runners, but managed just two hits off Leake, who completed the shutout.
What it means: The New York Mets blew a 5-0 lead and lost to the Philadelphia Phillies, so the Dodgers still have a shot at home-field advantage in the first round of the playoffs. Because New York holds the tiebreaker, the Dodgers would have to make up two games in the final four days of the season to play Game 1 (and, maybe, Game 5) at Dodger Stadium.
Notable: The shortstop situation became a bit murkier. Jimmy Rollins returned to the starting lineup and manager Don Mattingly continues to decline to name a starter. Corey Seager moved to third base. It appears both players will be in the mix for playing time in the postseason. ... Hard thrower Carlos Frias, trying to make the postseason roster as a reliever, pitched scoreless fifth and sixth innings. ... Rookie Nick Noonan had a high arcing home run that nearly reached McCovey Cove off Dodgers reliever Joel Peralta. It was Noonan's first career home run. Peralta, 39, also is vying for a spot on the postseason roster. ... The Dodgers are trying to get closer Kenley Jansen regular work before a four-day layoff going into the playoffs, so he worked the eighth inning despite the four-run deficit. Jansen threw up and in to San Francisco rookie Duffy, who answered by singling up the middle and stealing second. He scored on Jarrett Parker's single.
Up next: The series concludes Thursday afternoon at 12:45 PT. Brett Anderson (9-9, 3.75 ERA) has his final tune-up for a likely Game 3 playoff start. Mattingly said it likely will be limited to a certain number of pitches. He'll be opposed by veteran Tim Hudson (8-8, 4.30 ERA) in his final major league game. Hudson has announced he is retiring after this season.