Los Angeles @ Colorado preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 2, 2013 ) LA Dodgers 2, Colorado 7

Rookie Yasiel Puig continues to amaze for the Los Angeles Dodgers, who have moved back into the National League West race by winning eight of their last nine games. Puig had a Major League-best 44 hits in June to help surging Los Angeles pull within four games of first-place Arizona. The 22-year-old right fielder is hitting .436 with seven homers heading into Tuesday’s matchup against the host Colorado Rockies, who have lost four of their last six.

The Rockies are two games back of Arizona despite posting June's worst ERA in the majors at 4.52. While the pitching staff has been struggling, right fielder Michael Cuddyer brings a career-high 27-game hitting streak into the three-game series against Los Angeles. Cuddyer is batting .372 (42-for-113) with six home runs and 19 RBI during the streak, which began May 28.

TV: 8:40 p.m. ET, KCAL (Los Angeles), ROOT (Colorado)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers LH Clayton Kershaw (6-5, 2.08 ERA) vs. Rockies RH Roy Oswalt (0-2, 7.36)

Kershaw earned his first win since May 20 against the Giants last Wednesday, when he allowed two runs on four hits in eight innings. The 25-year-old lefty owns an underwhelming record, but he’s allowed two or fewer runs in four of his last five starts. Dexter Fowler is 15-for-34 against Kershaw, who yielded three runs over seven innings against the Rockies at Coors Field on May 31.

After posting a 2.16 ERA in five outings for Double-A Tulsa, Oswalt has allowed a total of nine runs over his first two starts covering 11 innings. The 34-year-old right-hander yielded five runs in six innings last Wednesday against the Red Sox, but the Rockies remain encouraged by his progress. “It’s very evident that there’s still a lot left with him in the two outings he’s had for us,” Rockies manager Walt Weiss told reporters.

WALK-OFFS

1. Kershaw is 3-3 with a 5.68 ERA in 11 career starts at Coors Field.

2. Fowler has missed the last five games with a sore right hand, but he’s hoping to return for Tuesday’s series opener.

3. The Dodgers promoted RHP Chris Withrow from Triple-A Albuquerque and designated RHP Matt Guerrier for assignment.

PREDICTION: Dodgers 6, Rockies 4