Los Angeles @ Pittsburgh preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 7, 2013 ) Pittsburgh 2, LA Dodgers 6

The Los Angeles Dodgers begin a nine-game road trip Friday at the Pittsburgh Pirates, looking for something positive in a season filled with injuries and unrealized expectations. The Dodgers are 9-17 away from home, and concluded a 10-game homestand by losing four of their final five contests. Shortstop Hanley Ramirez, who is bothered by a sore left hamstring, is expected to start for the first time in a week.

A.J. Burnett was scheduled to take the mound for Pittsburgh, but landed on the disabled list Thursday with a strained right calf. The Pirates turn to Jeff Locke, who is ninth in the majors in ERA. Another injury concern is outfielder Starling Marte, who recorded four hits Wednesday but was scratched from Thursday’s 10-0 los to San Francisco with discomfort in his ribcage.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, Prime Ticket (Los Angeles), Root Sports (Pittsburgh)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers RH Stephen Fife (1-1, 3.78 ERA) vs. Pirates LH Jeff Locke (5-1, 2.39).

Fife looks to be recovered from shoulder soreness that landed him on the disabled list. In his past two starts, the right-hander allowed three earned runs with three walks and 12 strikeouts in 12 innings. Fife has never faced the Pirates, and no player on Pittsburgh’s roster has a major-league at-bat against him.

Locke received a no-decision Sunday at Chicago but was uncharacteristically wild, walking seven hitters in 5 2/3 innings after issuing just eight in his previous 24 innings. The left-hander is holding opponents to a .214 batting average and has allowed 11 earned runs in his past eight starts. Locke is 0-2 with a 5.73 ERA in three games (two starts) lifetime against Los Angeles.

WALK-OFFS

1. Los Angeles C A.J. Ellis, who has been sidelined since May 30 with a strained left oblique, could be activated Friday.

2. Marte and fellow OF Andrew McCutchen are the only teammates to have at least 15 stolen bases; Marte has 20 steals, while McCutchen has 15.

3. The Pirates have scored 100 runs in the seventh inning or later in their 66 games.

PREDICTION: Pirates 3, Dodgers 1