Arizona @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( May 6, 2013 ) Arizona 9, LA Dodgers 2

The Los Angeles Dodgers will try to avoid their second six-game losing streak when they host the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday. The Dodgers lost the opener of the three-game series 9-2 on Monday to fall into last place in the National League West despite featuring the second-highest payroll in the majors. They’ve been particularly bad against divisional opponents, owning a 5-14 record against the West, including 2-8 at home. The Diamondbacks have been within a loss of falling to .500 four times in the last 2 1/2 weeks, but each time pulled off a victory.

The Dodgers have seen enough of Arizona first baseman Paul Goldschmidt. He is 8-for-13 against Los Angeles in the last three meetings. Arizona is still looking for some clutch hitting from third baseman Martin Prado, however. He has three multi-hit games this month, but one RBI in his last 16 games. He is 1-for-29 with runners in scoring position. Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez had two hits Monday after getting scratched from the previous three starts because of neck pain, raising his average to .343.

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Arizona, KCAL (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks RH Brandon McCarthy (0-3. 7.22 ERA) vs. Dodgers RH Josh Beckett (0-4, 5.24)

McCarthy lived just a few miles from Dodger Stadium until he was 11 years old and grew up a big fan of former Dodgers hurler Orel Hershiser. He hasn’t won in the six starts since he was struck in the head by a line drive off the bat of Los Angeles Angels shortstop Erick Aybar last September, when he was with the Oakland Athletics. Prior to that season-ending injury, he had won eight of his previous 10 decisions. One of those victories came against the Dodgers on June 19, when he allowed two hits in seven innings of a 3-0 victory, his only career appearance against Los Angeles.

Beckett is also searching for his first victory of the season. His best opportunity came April 14 at Arizona, when he allowed one run and six hits in 8 1/3 innings of a 1-0 loss, his longest outing since throwing a complete game June 15, 2011 as a member of the Boston Red Sox. The only game the Dodgers have won of his six starts this season was a 7-5 victory April 26 against the visiting Milwaukee Brewers, but he left with one out in the sixth inning and the score tied at 3. Beckett is 2-5 in his career against the Diamondbacks, although his 3.83 ERA is better than his career mark of 3.93.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Dodgers are a season-low five games under .500.

2. The Diamondbacks have committed a major-league low seven errors.

3. Arizona OF A.J. Pollock has more multi-hit games (nine) than single-hit games (six) this season.

PREDICTION: Diamondbacks 8, Dodgers 4