You have to go back to July 7 to find the last time southpaw Rich Hill threw more than five pitches in a big league game. Blisters have sidelined Hill until now when he makes his Dodgers debut.

It's not stretching things to believe Hill is going to be rusty. Perhaps even on a pitch count, which would put more pressure on an overworked Dodgers bullpen. Regardless, I'm not going to pass up taking this 'dog price with the Giants and Johnny Cueto.

The Giants and Cueto have been slumping since the All-Star break. Cueto broke out in his last start beating the Mets, 8-1, this past Friday giving up eight hits and no walks in seven innings. That was the 19th time in Cueto's past 25 starts San Francisco has won. The Giants also have won 11 of Cueto's last 13 road starts.

Now it's time for the Giants to get going. They had the best record at 57-33 entering All-Star break, but have gone 11-24 since then. We all know the Giants are a much better team than what they have shown lately.

There are many handicapping factors that point to the Giants winning today. They are:

Hill being priced a favorite in this division rivalry despite a huge randomness factor based on his more than a month of not pitching.

Cueto's outstanding track record, which includes the Giants going 3-0 the past three times he has been a road 'dog.

The Giants being 33-9 on the road and 19-7 in their last 26 games against a lefty starter.

Underrated Angel Pagan being back in the lineup from a groin strain. Pagan is riding a 19-game hitting streak.

(Editor's note: In addition to this free selection, Stephen Nover has one of his strongest plays of the month going today - his Wednesday Wipeout Winner.)