Tampa Bay @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 24, 2007 ) LA Dodgers 4, Tampa Bay 9

Ace David Price aims to slow down the red-hot Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday when the Tampa Bay Rays open a three-game series on the road. The Dodgers have won 17 of 20 games since the All-Star break to move 5 1/2 games ahead of Arizona in the National League West. After pulling back into contention with a stellar month of July, the Rays have lost four of their last six and sit two games behind Boston in the American League East.

Thursday’s off-day came at a good time for Tampa Bay, which saw five relievers surrender eight runs over 6 1/3 innings in a 9-8 loss at the Diamondbacks on Wednesday. The Dodgers were happy to play on Thursday, as they remained unbeaten over their last 14 series with a 5-1 win over St. Louis. Rookie phenom Yasiel Puig had three hits to extend his hitting streak to seven and raised his batting average to .377.

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, Sun Sports (Tampa Bay), Prime Ticket (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays LH David Price (6-5, 3.36 ERA) vs. Dodgers LH Chris Capuano (4-6, 4.16)

Price has been dominant since returning from the disabled list on July 2, pitching through the ninth inning in four of his seven starts. The 27-year-old has surrendered one run in each of his last three outings spanning 25 1/3 innings. “Even in his Cy Young year (2012), I don’t know that I’ve seen him pitch this well, this consistently,” manager Joe Maddon said.

Capuano isn’t the highest profile starter in the Dodgers’ rotation, but he’s quietly put together a strong second half. He’s recorded at least six shutout innings in three of his last four outings, and he enters Friday’s contest on a 13-inning scoreless streak. The 34-year-old is 1-1 with a 4.50 ERA in three interleague starts this season.

WALK-OFFS

1. Tampa Bay RHP Chris Archer (forearm) and rookie OF Wil Myers (asthma symptoms) both left Wednesday’s game, but neither is expected to miss any time.

2. Dodgers SS Hanley Ramirez has missed the last four games with a jammed right shoulder, but he’s hoping to return this weekend.

3. The Rays are the only team that has never played at Dodger Stadium.

PREDICTION: Rays 5, Dodgers 1