Dodgers-Giants series could determine how the NL West will be won

How will the National League West be won? The next three days could answer this question as the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants are set for a trio of games over the course of this weekend leaving first place and a wild card spot in the balance. As of right now, the Giants hold the top spot in the National League Wild Card race and the Dodgers hold a two game lead over the Giants in the National League West.

The Giants started off the season hot, taking hold of first place in the division following a stellar month of May where they went 20-9 during the month. It seemed that everything was clicking the right places for the Giants as Michael Morse and Brandon Belt both were off to good starts for the season and Tim Lincecum was returning to his old self on the mound. The month of June however would play ill for the Giants fortunes as they would finish the month with a record of 10-16 and out of first place in the division and for the time being outside of a wild card spot.

At the same time, the Dodgers who were simmering at the start of the season and right behind the Giants coattails, got hot in June and took off from there. The Dodgers would finish June with a record of 18-10, good enough for a commanding hold on first place as the Giants were spiraling out of control. With Clayton Kershaw on the mound, the bat of Yasiel Puig at the plate, and Dee Gordon on the base paths,  the Dodgers looked to be in the driver’s seat, but the race was not quite finished.

Heading into this three game set, the Dodgers still hold onto the National League West by two games. Two games that are holding back a surging Giants club that is coming back from that terrible mid-season that they had with timely hitting and a pitching rotation that has been absolutely stellar over the last two weeks. The Giants have won each of their last three series and look poised to match the Dodgers pound for pound during this series. The Dodgers are looking to maintain their lead and to hold off the Giants once again. In their last series, the Dodgers took all three games, which were played at AT&T Park in late July.

If there is one series to watch this weekend, it is this one as it could most likely play into where both clubs will be heading come postseason time. It could also be a preview for what could be a playoff match up as well.