Atlanta @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 4, 2010 ) Atlanta 4, LA Dodgers 5

The Los Angeles Dodgers are rumored to be in the market for pitching help, but not because of the performance of Chad Billingsley.

Billingsley takes the mound on Saturday as the Dodgers face the Atlanta Braves in the third of a four-game series. The teams have split the first two contests with Los Angeles posting a 5-4 victory on Friday to snap Atlanta's nine-game win streak.

While NL West rivals San Diego and San Francisco rank first and third in baseball in ERA, Los Angeles is middle of the pack with an ERA around 4.00. The starting rotation for the Dodgers has an ERA of 4.20, giving general manager Ned Colletti reason to inquire about a pair of aces on struggling teams.

The Dodgers are said to have asked the Houston Astros about Roy Oswalt and the Seattle Mariners about Cliff Lee. Oswalt has already said he wants to be dealt to a contender, while Lee was traded to Philadelphia last season and helped the Phillies to their second straight World Series appearance.

Meanwhile, Billingsley has been one of the Dodgers' best starters with a 6-2 record and ERA of 3.74. The hurler had won four straight starts before a no decision Monday against Arizona after allowing four runs and six hits in eight innings in a 5-4 victory.

In his last four starts, Billingsley has had great command with 28 strikeouts and just four walks in 27 2/3 innings. He struck out a season-high 11 without a walk Monday against the Diamondbacks.

In six career games against Atlanta - including four starts - Billingsley is 1-2 with a 3.65 ERA.

Atlanta may also prove to be in the market for some help around the trade deadline, a surprise with most observers expecting the Phillies to run away and hide in the NL East.

The Braves had won nine straight before Friday's loss and they lead the Phillies by two games in the NL East.

Atlanta looks to start a new streak behind Tommy Hanson (5-3, 3.78 ERA), who has won his last two starts.

Hanson has made once career start against Los Angeles and he took the loss, allowing four runs and eight hits in six innings. He has been especially strong on the road for the Braves this season, posting a record of 3-1 with a 2.03 ERA in five starts.

Along with the Braves' win streak ending, Troy Glaus' nine-game hitting streak came to an end Friday as well. Glaus has been a huge pickup for Atlanta as he leads the team with 10 home runs and 42 RBIs. For his career, Glaus is 0-for-4 against Billingsley with a strikeout.