Chicago @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Mar 15, 2014 ) LA Dodgers 4, Chi. White Sox 5

Chicago White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu returns from the disabled list Monday just in time to face Los Angeles Dodgers’ ace Clayton Kershaw in the opener of a three-game series at Dodger Stadium. The White Sox went 6-4 on their just-completed 10-game homestand, but have been held to 12 runs scored over their last five contests. Chicago should receive an instant boost from Abreu, who was hitting .260 with 15 homers and 42 RBIs before landing on the disabled list May 18 with inflammation in his left ankle.

Right fielder Yasiel Puig has reached base in 33 consecutive games for Los Angeles, which has lost four of its last five. Puig is 8-for-22 during his six-game hitting streak, and has found a home as the No. 3 hitter in the Dodgers’ lineup just ahead of Hanley Ramirez and Adrian Gonzalez. Center fielder Andre Ethier went 0-for-4 while batting second Sunday, and is 5-for-26 over his last seven games.

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, CSN (Chicago), SportsNet Los Angeles

PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox LH Jose Quintana (3-4, 3.61 ERA) vs. Dodgers LH Clayton Kershaw (3-2, 3.57)

Quintana has been a model of consistency this season while allowing three earned runs or fewer in 10 of his 11 starts. “He might give up a hit per inning, but he always keeps you in a game,” Indians manager Terry Francona said after watching Quintana hold his team to two runs over six innings last Monday. The 25-year-old is making his first start against the Dodgers since June 17, 2012, when he tossed eight shutout innings in Chicago’s 2-1 victory.

Kershaw bounced back from a dismal outing against Arizona with two strong starts, including Wednesday against Cincinnati when he allowed three runs over seven frames. The two-time Cy Young award winner is 6-3 with a 2.67 ERA in 17 career interleague games, including a 0-1 mark and 5.40 ERA in two starts against the White Sox. Adam Dunn is 8-for-13 with four homers against Kershaw, who owns a 46-to-7 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

WALK-OFFS

1. Dodgers INF Justin Turner is batting .360 with three homers and eight RBIs in his last 17 games.

2. Chicago leads the majors with 41 runs scored in the ninth inning.

3. Los Angeles is 1-21 when trailing after six innings.

PREDICTION: Dodgers 4, White Sox 1