Colorado @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 4, 2013 ) LA Dodgers 5, Colorado 7

Todd Helton puts the cap on a brilliant 17-year career this weekend when the Colorado Rockies visit the Los Angeles Dodgers for a season-ending three-game series. Helton, who homered in his final home game on Wednesday, has driven in more runs (56) in his career at Dodger Stadium than any other ballpark. The Dodgers will likely enter the National League playoffs next week as the No. 3 seed unless they sweep the Rockies and the Cubs sweep St. Louis this weekend.

Andre Ethier is not expected to play during the series, but he’s hoping to return in time for the first round of the postseason. The right fielder, who has been out since Sept. 13 with shin splints in his left leg, will play in simulated games this weekend before trying to run the bases early next week. Rockies right fielder Michael Cuddyer begins the series in position for his first batting title - his .335 average sits 12 points ahead of Atlanta’s Chris Johnson.

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, ROOT (Colorado), Prime Ticket (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies RH Collin McHugh (0-3, 8.59 ERA) vs. Dodgers LH Clayton Kershaw (15-9, 1.88)

McHugh is set to make his third straight start in place of Jorge De La Rosa, who has been out since Sept. 10 with a sore left thumb. After turning in a solid outing against St. Louis, the 26-year-old was rocked for six runs on 11 hits against Arizona on Saturday. McHugh, who was acquired by the Rockies in a June 18 trade with the Mets, is 0-6 with a 7.64 ERA in eight career starts.

Kershaw strengthened his case for his second Cy Young Award on Saturday by holding San Diego to three hits while striking out 10 over seven scoreless innings. The 25-year-old, who has already thrown 230 innings this season, has allowed a total of four earned runs over his last three starts (21 innings). Kershaw is 2-1 with a 3.54 ERA in four starts against the Rockies this season.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Dodgers and Rockies have split their 16 meetings this season.

2. Rockies OF Carlos Gonzalez (finger) is questionable for the series, but C Wilin Rosario (calf) is expected to be available at some point during the weekend.

3. Mired in an 0-for-19 slump, Dodgers OF/INF Jerry Hairston Jr. is listed as day-to-day with back spasms.

PREDICTION: Dodgers 6, Rockies 1