DODGERS ON DECK

Opponent--San Francisco Giants, three games.

Site--Dodger Stadium.

Tonight--7.

TV--Channel 5, today and Thursday; ESPN, Wednesday.

Radio--KABC (790 AM), KWKW (1330 AM).

Records--Dodgers 88-68; Giants 65-91.

Record vs. Giants--5-5.

Next Series--Padres, three games, Friday-Sunday at Dodger Stadium.

Dodger update--The Dodgers can ill afford to look past the struggling Giants. If they sweep their traditional rival, they will start the Padre series on Friday at Dodger Stadium with at least a one-game lead with three games remaining. They would have to win two of the three games to clinch the National League West title. If the Dodgers lose one of the three games, and the Padres sweep their two-game series with the Colorado Rockies, they will begin the final weekend tied.

Giant update--The Giants would love to ruin the Dodgers’ season, exacting revenge for the 1993 season when the Dodgers won the season-finale, 12-1, eliminating the Giants from the playoffs. Barry Bonds has hit 42 homers and stolen 35 bases.

Pitching matchups--The Dodgers’ Pedro Astacio (9-8) vs. Allen Watson (8-10) tonight; Ramon Martinez (14-6) vs. William Van Landingham (9-14) Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.; Tom Candiotti (9-10) vs. Mark Gardner (11-7) Thursday at 7 p.m.