Los Angeles @ Pittsburgh preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 14, 2013 ) LA Dodgers 0, Pittsburgh 3

The Pittsburgh Pirates will try to keep their newfound success against Los Angeles going when they host the struggling Dodgers on Saturday in the middle contest of their three-game series. Pittsburgh had lost 12 of its last 13 meetings - and six of seven at PNC Park - with Los Angeles prior to Friday's 3-0 victory on the strength of seven solid innings from Jeff Locke. The Pirates have won five of their last seven games and are 24-12 at PNC Park - the most home wins in the majors.

Right-hander Brandon Cumpton will make his major-league debut for the Pirates and will oppose Clayton Kershaw, who shut down the Pirates at Dodger Stadium in April. Kershaw is 0-2 in his last four decisions and hasn't won since May 20, but has the lowest ERA in the National League at 1.88 - and third-lowest in the majors. Mired in last place in the NL West, the Dodgers (28-38) have lost five of their last six games and fallen to a season-worst 10 games under .500.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, KCAL (Los Angeles), ROOT Sports (Pittsburgh)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers LH Clayton Kershaw (5-4, 1.88 ERA) vs. Pirates RH Brandon Cumpton (NR)

Kershaw allowed one run in seven innings and was not saddled with the loss in Los Angeles' 5-4 setback against Arizona on Monday. The 2011 National League Cy Young Award winner, who is 2-1 with a 2.57 ERA and 0.95 WHIP in seven starts against Pittsburgh, yielded two hits and struck out nine in the Dodgers' 1-0 victory over the Pirates on April 6. Pittsburgh's roster is batting .204 against Kershaw, with Andrew McCutchen (5-for-17, home run) having more success than most.

Pittsburgh turns to Cumpton with Locke's start moved up one day after A.J. Burnett (calf) was placed on the 15-day disabled list Thursday. The 24-year-old Georgia native was 4-4 with a 3.31 ERA in 11 games (10 starts) with Triple-A Indianapolis and owns a 26-24 mark in his minor-league career, which began in 2010. Cumpton, who typically throws his fastball in the low 90s, was selected by the Pirates in the ninth round of the 2010 draft out of Georgia Tech.

WALK-OFFS

1. McCutchen had two hits Friday - including a two-run double. The Pirates are 14-1 at home this season when McCutchen records two or more hits.

2. Los Angeles manager Don Mattingly and RHP Ronald Belisario served the one-game suspensions they received for their part in Tuesday's benches-clearing brawl with Arizona.

3. Pirates RHP Jason Grilli earned his National League-leading 24th save in as many chances on Friday. He is two shy of Joel Hanrahan's club record to start a season, set in 2011. Grilli shares the major league lead with Baltimore's Jim Johnson.

PREDICTION: Dodgers 3, Pirates 2