Los Angeles @ Arizona preview
Chase Field
Last Meeting ( Apr 12, 2013 ) LA Dodgers 0, Arizona 3
The Los Angeles Dodgers lost one of their top pitchers on Thursday and followed it up by not giving another one of their aces any offensive help. One day after finding out they’ll likely be without Zack Greinke for eight weeks because of a fractured collarbone, the Dodgers will try to pick up the pieces as they continue a three-game set against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday. Arizona has won six straight at home over Los Angeles, which was unable to mount any offense as Clayton Kershaw gave up his first runs this season in Friday’s 3-0 loss at Arizona
The Diamondbacks received their second straight strong performance from one of their back-end starters, getting six solid innings from Patrick Corbin on Friday after No. 4 starter Wade Miley yielded two runs over 6 2/3 innings Wednesday to avoid a three-game sweep against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Arizona has won six of eight and will turn to Ian Kennedy, who has won all three of his career home starts against the Dodgers.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, KCAL (Los Angeles), Fox Sports Arizona
PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers LH Hyun-Jin Ryu (1-1, 2.13 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks RH Ian Kennedy (1-0, 4.15)
Ryu yielded 10 hits in his Dodgers debut in a loss to San Francisco, but was much sharper in Sunday’s 6-2 victory over Pittsburgh. One of Los Angeles’ prized free-agent signings this off-season, the left-hander permitted two runs and three hits over 6 1/3 innings to notch his first career win. Ryu has yet to surrender a hit in eight at-bats against left-handers – striking out five – but has allowed 13 hits to 42 right-handed batters through two starts.
Kennedy was unable to build upon on a strong season debut, but escaped with a no-decision after yielding four runs and seven hits over six innings in Sunday’s 8-7 win at Milwaukee. The 28-year-old California native has allowed six hits and struck out 13 over 13 2/3 scoreless innings, winning each of his last two outings against the Dodgers. Kennedy, who is 5-2 with a 3.24 ERA in eight career starts against Los Angeles, has enjoyed a great deal of success in 49 starts at Chase Field, going 24-10 with a 3.33 ERA.
WALK-OFFS
1. Arizona has won three straight and 11 of its last 13 against the Dodgers.
2. Los Angeles 1B Adrian Gonzalez – a career .294 hitter – is 3-for-25 with nine strikeouts in his last six games against the Diamondbacks.
3. Arizona 2B Aaron Hill (left hand bruise) was a late scratch Friday, but is expected to play Saturday.
PREDICTION: Diamondbacks 5, Dodgers 3