Los Angeles @ Colorado preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 30, 2016 ) LA Dodgers 0, Colorado 0

The Colorado Rockies have established a pattern of playing up - and down - to the competition, a trend that continued in the opener of their three-game series against the National League West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers. After rain washed out Tuesday's matchup, the Rockies look to extend their three-game winning streak when they host the Dodgers in a split doubleheader on Wednesday.

Colorado has won two of three against division leaders Washington (twice) and the Chicago Cubs, only to get swept in Philadelphia and Milwaukee over the last 2 1/2 weeks. DJ LeMahieu is batting a robust .444 in the month of August after collecting two hits and three RBIs on Monday for the Rockies, who are seven games out of the second wild-card spot. Los Angeles has lost three of four games but received some positive news on the injury front Tuesday. Ace left-hander Clayton Kershaw, on the disabled list with a herniated disk, pitched a two-inning simulated game in Los Angeles and felt "great," team president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman told reporters.

TV: 3:10 p.m. ET, Sportsnet LA (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers RH Ross Stripling (3-5, 4.13 ERA) vs. Rockies LH Tyler Anderson (4-5, 3.69)

Los Angeles bumped veteran Bud Norris to give another start to the 26-year-old Stripling, who has turned in mediocre performances in his last two outings. Stripling permitted three runs and seven hits over five innings in a loss to San Francisco last time out and had allowed three runs and six hits over five frames in his previous start. He has pitched beyond five innings in only one of his last 10 appearances.

Anderson gave up two runs or fewer for the fourth time in six starts last time out but was saddled with the loss despite yielding two runs and striking out 10 in five innings at Milwaukee. The 26-year-old made his lone career start against the Dodgers earlier this month and earned the victory with seven innings of two-run ball. Anderson has acquitted himself well at Coors Field, posting a 4-1 record and 3.45 ERA.

WALK-OFFS

1. Dodgers OF Yasiel Puig, currently playing at Triple-A, reportedly was claimed off waivers by an unnamed team on Tuesday.

2. Rockies 3B Nolan Arenado is 18-for-33 with five homers and 14 RBIs in his last eight games.

3. Los Angeles LHPs Scott Kazmir and Brett Anderson and RHP Brandon McCarthy also threw simulated games Tuesday.

PREDICTION: Rockies 5, Dodgers 3