Chicago @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Mar 14, 2014 ) LA Dodgers 4, Chi. Cubs 5

The Los Angeles Dodgers carry a season-best six-game winning streak into Friday’s series opener against the visiting Chicago Cubs, who have won three of four. Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti, whose team stands 3 1/2 games ahead of San Francisco in the National League West, said he has no regrets after letting Thursday’s trade deadline pass without a major deal. “You can go out and get the biggest name on the block and it may make you better, but it doesn’t guarantee anything,” he told reporters.

The Cubs traded reliever James Russell and utiltyman Emilio Bonifacio to Atlanta for minor-league catcher Victor Caratini, but the team hopes to be buyers instead of sellers next season. Top prospects Kris Bryant, Javier Baez and Jorge Soler are each close to being major-league ready, and Jake Arrieta has taken steps to be the ace of the pitching staff. Chicago faces a stiff test this weekend against Los Angeles, which features three of the NL's hottest hitters since the All-Star break in Matt Kemp, Adrian Gonzalez and Juan Uribe.

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, WGN (Chicago), SNLA (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Kyle Hendricks (1-1, 2.33 ERA) vs. Dodgers RH Dan Haren (8-8, 4.49)

Hendricks is set to make his fourth career start after turning in a strong outing last Sunday, when he held St. Louis to one run over 6 1/3 innings. “Hendricks did a nice job,” Cardinals manager Mike Matheny told MLB.com. “He didn’t give us a lot. You could tell he’s a cerebral pitcher, but he’s got good stuff, too.” The Cubs’ 2013 minor league pitcher of the year owns a 14-to-6 strikeout-to-walk ratio through three starts this season.

Haren is pitching on eight days’ rest after allowing five runs over five innings against Pittsburgh on July 23. The 33-year-old was 0-4 with a 9.47 ERA in four starts in July, but he’s fared better at home this season with a 3.40 ERA in nine outings. Haren, who is 2-2 with a 4.91 ERA in six career starts against the Cubs, has struggled early in games, allowing runs in the first two innings in 15 of his last 16 starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. Dodgers C A.J. Ellis is questionable for Friday’s game due to a swollen right knee suffered when he was hit by a foul tip in Thursday’s contest against Atlanta.

2. Cubs OF Chris Coghlan has reached base safely in 24 of his last 26 games.

3. Los Angeles is 49-15 when scoring first.

PREDICTION: Dodgers 6, Cubs 5