By Morris Phillips

After a Dodgers’ loss in Chicago against the Cubs Monday night, one game separates the Giants from their heated rival in the NL West.  But make no mistake, this divisional race is beginning to take shape.

The Dodgers continue to struggle, losing three of four, and 22 of their last 39 after beginning the season with wins in 22 of their first 32 games.   Staff ace Clayton Kershaw hasn’t been anywhere near the lights out performer he was last season, losing Monday to even his record at 5-5.  No. 2 guy Zack Greinke has been on top of his game, but doesn’t have the results to show for it.  Greinke hasn’t won since May 5, despite an ERA of 1.99 in the eight starts since.

So with starters Hyun-Jin Ryu and Brandon McCarthy already on the shelf and expected to miss the rest of the season, the Dodgers are likely to hit the trade market in search of another starter or two.  Given their resources, the likelihood that the Dodgers come up with a Scott Kazmir, Chris Sale or Cole Hamels are high.  But that acquisition could cost the team someone like Andre Eithier and impact their ability to acquire another bat, which would qualify as their second priority for the trade deadline.

The Giants, of course, are interested observers.  The reigning World Champs have survived an eight-game losing streak and a more recent eight straight losses at home to pull virtually even with the division leaders.  The Giants offensive lineup has gotten a nice boost from their young infielders Joe Panik and Matt Duffy, not to mention Brandon Crawford, who is on pace to have his best offensive season to date.  The Giants could hit the trade market too, but the Giants figure to get a boost to their rotation from within with the imminent returns of Matt Cain and Jake Peavy.

The Giants would appear to be better situated in terms of schedule as well with 46 home games remaining compared to the Dodgers 41.  And while both teams have similar schedules in terms of opponents, the Dodgers have a 10-game roadie in July along with the 10-game trip they’re on currently.  Meanwhile, the Giants can look forward to a closing stretch in which they play 19 of their final 22 games without leaving the Bay Area (three games in Oakland September 25-27).

So do the Giants have the edge on the Dodgers in the race for the division title?  Yes, but only if they get hot and take advantage of downtrodden opponents with a heavy dose of NL East teams in July that represents the best opportunity to win games in bunches.

The Giants open a six-game homestand on Tuesday night with the Padres in town.  Madison Bumgarner faces the Padres’ Odrisamer Despaigne in the opener at 7:15pm.