Chicago @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 27, 2018 ) Chi. Cubs 5, LA Dodgers 7

The home runs keep coming for the Los Angeles Dodgers, who face the visiting Chicago Cubs on Thursday in the finale of their four-game series. The Dodgers belted three homers in Wednesday’s 7-5 victory – including another by red-hot infielder Max Muncy -- and lead the majors with 51 for the month of June.

After splitting the first two games of the series, the Dodgers jumped to an early 6-2 lead Wednesday and held on for the win behind seven solid innings from Alex Wood and a four-out save by closer Kenley Jansen, who has allowed four earned runs over his last 29 appearances covering 31 1/3 innings. Yasiel Puig had three hits while Joc Pederson and Cody Bellinger added homers for the Dodgers, who improved to 27-10 since May 17. The Cubs lost for the sixth time in their last seven games despite strong performances from catcher Willson Contreras (2-for-4 with a home run and four RBIs) and infielder Javier Baez, who had two hits and has gone 10-for-24 with two homers and 10 RBIs over his last seven games.

TV: 3:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, NBCS Chicago, SportsNet LA (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs LH Jose Quintana (6-6, 4.26 ERA) vs. Dodgers LH Clayton Kershaw (1-4, 2.94)

Quintana lost his second straight start last Friday, giving up four runs on nine hits over five innings against Cincinnati. The 29-year-old native of Colombia owns a 6.00 ERA in six home starts compared to a 3.22 ERA in nine outings away from Wrigley Field. Quintana is making his first start against the Dodgers since June 2, 2014, when he allowed five unearned runs over six frames as a member of the Chicago White Sox.

Kershaw returned from the disabled list last Saturday and allowed two runs and five hits over three innings against the New York Mets. The three-time Cy Young Award winner was limited to 55 pitches in his return from a back strain and could be on a pitch count again Thursday. Anthony Rizzo is 5-for-14 with two home runs against Kershaw, who is 5-3 with a 2.64 ERA and 74 strikeouts in nine career starts versus the Cubs.

WALK-OFFS

1. Dodgers OF Matt Kemp served his one-game suspension on Wednesday and will return for Thursday’s series finale.

2. The Cubs activated Brandon Morrow (back) off the 10-day disabled list and optioned fellow RHP Cory Mazzoni to Triple-A Iowa.

3. Dodgers rookie RHP Walker Buehler (ribs) will make a rehab start on Thursday for Triple-A Oklahoma City and could rejoin the rotation next week.

PREDICTION: Dodgers 6, Cubs 2