Tampa Bay @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 9, 2013 ) Tampa Bay 6, LA Dodgers 7

The Tampa Bay Rays won't soon forget their first visit to Dodger Stadium - and neither will the host team. The Los Angeles Dodgers continued their magical run on Friday, erasing a six-run deficit and scoring four runs in the ninth inning to stun the Rays in the opener of their three-game series. It was the third straight victory for Los Angeles, which is 18-3 since the All-Star break and has ripped off 35 wins in its last 43 games entering Saturday's second game of the series.

Tampa Bay had a spectacular run of its own last month, going on a 21-4 surge to move to the top of the American League East. That momentum has stalled with five losses in seven games, including three straight defeats against NL West foes Arizona and the Dodgers in which the Rays have allowed 22 runs. Tampa Bay has dropped two games behind AL East leader Boston, while Los Angeles continues to hold a 5 1/2-game lead in the National League West.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, FOX

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays RH Roberto Hernandez (6-11, 4.75 ERA) vs. Dodgers RH Zack Greinke (9-3, 3.40)

Hernandez followed up his first complete game in three years with a dud in his last turn, lasting only 4 2/3 innings while yielding three runs on eight hits against San Francisco. Such inconsistency is nothing new for Hernandez, who has not won back-to-back starts since July 2010. Hernandez has struggled mightily away from home, logging a 1-7 record and 5.71 ERA in nine road starts.

Greinke halted a three-start victory drought by winning at St. Louis last time out, giving up a pair of runs on eight hits over 6 2/3 innings. He has pitched exceptionally well at Dodger Stadium, posting a 5-1 mark and 2.96 ERA in nine outings this year. His only two home losses in 2012 were against Tampa Bay, dropping his career record against the Rays to 2-6 with a 3.70 ERA in 14 appearances (11 starts).

WALK-OFFS

1. Greinke has been helping himself at the plate, batting .405 (15-for-37) on the season.

2. Rays RF Wil Myers has reached base in 22 straight games, two shy of the franchise rookie record held by Rocco Baldelli.

3. Dodgers INF Nick Punto is 8-for-20 lifetime against Hernandez.

PREDICTION: Dodgers 5, Rays 3