Los Angeles @ Colorado preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 14, 2013 ) Colorado 3, LA Dodgers 1

The Los Angeles Dodgers look to extend their winning streak to five games on Monday against the host Colorado Rockies, who hope to have All-Star outfielder Carlos Gonzalez back in the lineup during the three-game series. Gonzalez has been on the disabled list since Aug. 7 with a sprained right middle finger, but he’s expected to rejoin the Rockies on Tuesday. Colorado could use Gonzalez’s power against the Dodgers, who stand a season-high 11 1/2 games ahead of second-place Arizona in the National League West.

Newly acquired infielder Michael Young will make his Dodgers debut on Monday, and he’ll likely see most of his playing time at third base in a platoon with Juan Uribe. Los Angeles closer Kenley Jansen recorded his 100th strikeout this season in Sunday’s 2-1 win over San Diego and converted his 17th straight save opportunity. Rockies first baseman Todd Helton enters the series on a high note after collecting his 2,500th career hit on Sunday.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, KCAL 9 (Los Angeles), ROOT (Colorado)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers LH Clayton Kershaw (13-8, 1.72 ERA) vs. Rockies RH Chad Bettis (0-3, 4.80)

Kershaw had his three-game winning streak snapped on Tuesday, when he allowed two runs (one earned) while striking out nine over 5 2/3 innings against the Chicago Cubs. The 25-year-old strengthened his case for his second NL Cy Young Award when he posted a 1.01 ERA in five August starts. Kershaw is 1-1 with a 2.35 ERA in three starts this season against the Rockies.

Bettis would appear to be overmatched against Kershaw, but the 24-year-old has shown some promise in six starts since being promoted from Double-A Tulsa. “His makeup's pretty good,” Rockies manager Walt Weiss said. Bettis, a second-round pick of the Rockies in 2010, has allowed 13 runs (seven earned) over his last three starts covering 14 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Rockies have lost 10 of their 14 Monday games this season.

2. The Dodgers recalled C Drew Butera, RHP Stephen Fife, SS Dee Gordon, OF Scott Van Slyke and RHP Peter Moylan from Triple-A Albuquerque on Sunday.

3. Rockies CF Dexter Fowler (bruised left knee) missed his fifth consecutive game on Sunday. He is listed as day-to-day.

PREDICTION: Dodgers 3, Rockies 1