Los Angeles @ Toronto preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 23, 2013 ) LA Dodgers 10, Toronto 9

The acquisition of Ricky Nolasco has coincided with the Los Angeles Dodgers' rise to the top of the National League West standings. Nolasco will look to keep them there as he takes the hill Wednesday night in the Dodgers' series finale against the host Toronto Blue Jays. Los Angeles has won five straight - including back-to-back games against Toronto - and is 11-3 since acquiring Nolasco from the Miami Marlins.

For Nolasco, the trade to Los Angeles represented an opportunity to trade a spot in National League purgatory for the drama of a pennant race. "Just to be part of this is a huge privilege," he said shortly after being dealt. He'll face off Wednesday against Toronto right-hander Esmil Rogers, who has fared well since joining the starting rotation but has been homer-prone of late.

TV: 7:07 p.m. ET, KCAL (Los Angeles), RSN (Toronto)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers RH Ricky Nolasco (6-9, 3.75 ERA) vs. Blue Jays RH Esmil Rogers (3-4, 3.84)

Nolasco's first start with the Dodgers was a seven-inning gem, but the 30-year-old has labored through his last two outings. He surrendered three runs on eight hits over five innings in a loss to the Colorado Rockies, then settled for a no-decision after lasting just 5 1/3 frames against the Washington Nationals. Nolasco worked six innings in his only career start against Toronto back in 2009, surrendering two runs on five hits while fanning nine in a 7-3 Florida win.

Facing a team other than the Tampa Bay Rays should do wonders for Rogers' confidence. The 27-year-old has surrendered eight home runs in eight starts since joining the rotation, but seven of those have been hit by the Rays - four coming in an 8-5 victory over the Blue Jays five days ago. "When he was on, he was dominating," manager John Gibbons said after the game. "He never really got into trouble, it was just the solo home runs."

WALK-OFFS

1. Rogers is 0-1 with a 5.52 ERA and 31 strikeouts in 31 career innings against the Dodgers.

2. Blue Jays RF Jose Bautista returned to the No. 3 spot in the batting order Tuesday and went 2-for-4 with a homer. The two-time major-league home run champion had hit second in 15 straight games.

3. The Dodgers lead the all-time series 8-6.

PREDICTION: Dodgers 6, Blue Jays 4