Chicago @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 27, 2013 ) Chi. Cubs 3, LA Dodgers 2

The Los Angeles Dodgers went 18 straight series without losing one before last weekend. When the Dodgers host the Chicago Cubs in the rubber match of a three-game set on Wednesday, they will attempt to avoid their second straight series loss. The Cubs did the nearly impossible by beating Clayton Kershaw on Tuesday and have a shot at a .500 road trip if they can pull out a win in the finale.

Los Angeles is enduring a stretch of losses in three of its last four games but still owns an 8 1/2-game lead over the Arizona Diamondbacks in the National League West. The Dodgers are averaging 1.7 runs in those three losses. Chicago is only putting up 2.5 runs in its last four games but needed just three behind Travis Wood on Tuesday.

TV: 3:10 p.m. ET, CSN Chicago, PRIME (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Edwin Jackson (7-13, 5.00 ERA) vs. Dodgers RH Ricky Nolasco (10-9, 3.42)

Jackson is trying to snap a four-start winless streak, during which he owns a 6.95 ERA. The 29-year-old was knocked around for six runs (five earned) on 10 hits in six innings at San Diego last week - the third time in four August starts that he allowed at least four earned runs. Jackson, who began his career with Los Angeles, is 3-1 with a 3.62 ERA in five career starts against his original franchise.

Nolasco is 5-1 with a 2.53 ERA in nine starts since joining the Dodgers and put together his best outing last Friday, when he held the Boston Red Sox to two hits in eight scoreless innings. The former Marlin is attempting to surrender three or fewer earned runs in his 11th consecutive start. Nolasco gave up three solo home runs in five innings at Chicago on Aug. 1 but still managed to win.

WALK-OFFS

1. Dodgers CF Matt Kemp (ankle) is expected to run the bases for a second straight day Wednesday before beginning a possible rehab assignment.

2. Chicago C Dioner Navarro is 10-for-24 with six RBIs in his last six starts.

3. Los Angeles RF Yasiel Puig has recorded multiple hits in three of the last four games.

PREDICTION: Dodgers 7, Cubs 3