Los Angeles @ Colorado preview

Last Meeting ( May 1, 2013 ) Colorado 7, LA Dodgers 3

The Colorado Rockies were tied atop the National League West standings a week ago, but are now 2 1/2 games back heading into Friday’s opener of their three-game series against the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers. The Rockies have dropped five of six, including three of four this week against the Houston Astros, who own the worst record in the American League. The Dodgers are 9-17 in May and haven’t won more than two in a row in that span.

Dodgers utility player Nick Punto is hitless in his last 10 at-bats to drop his average from .340 to .309. Los Angeles manager Don Mattingly batted him second in Wednesday's loss against the Angels then tried him in the No. 9 hole Thursday without success. Rockies rookie third baseman Nolan Arenado had three home runs in his first seven major-league games, but the opposition seems to be adjusting and he has hit just one in the last 23 games.

TV: 8:40 p.m. ET, Prime Ticket (Los Angeles), Root Sports (Colorado)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers LH Clayton Kershaw (5-3, 1.68 ERA) vs. Rockies RH Jon Garland (3-6, 5.05)

Kershaw is coming off his poorest outing in more than a month, and it really wasn’t bad, which says a lot about how strong his season has been. He gave up a season-high four earned runs and seven hits in seven innings of a 5-3 loss Sunday against the visiting St. Louis Cardinals. He was handed a 2-0 lead in the first inning and that’s usually enough for him to earn a victory, but the Cardinals scored three in the second and another off Kershaw in the seventh en route to the victory. Kershaw has struggled with the conditions at Coors Field, allowing 11 home runs in 56 1/3 innings. He hasn’t given up more than three at any other visiting ballpark.

Garland has lost his last four starts and six of seven to wipe away a promising start to the season. The Los Angeles-area native spent the second half of the 2009 season with the Dodgers, but they did not pick up his $10-million option in the offseason. He returned to the Dodgers as the fifth starter in 2011, but shoulder surgery ended that season halfway through and again the Dodgers declined to pick up an option for the following season. Garland has made five career starts against Los Angeles, the last three in 2010 when he was with the San Diego Padres. He's 2-2 with a 3.52 ERA in five career starts against the Dodgers.

WALK-OFFS

1. Dodgers OF Carl Crawford is 1-for-18 in his career off Garland.

2. The Rockies are 15-22 since starting the season 13-4.

3. Rockies SS Troy Tulowitzki is hitting .440 with two outs and runners in scoring position this season.

PREDICTION: Dodgers 5, Rockies 4.