Los Angeles @ Milwaukee preview

Last Meeting ( Mar 18, 2018 ) LA Dodgers 3, Milwaukee 7

The Los Angeles Dodgers beat out a number of other National League contenders - including the Milwaukee Brewers - to acquire the services of Manny Machado during the All-Star break, adding even more thump to an offense that leads the NL in home runs. Two days after being acquired in a six-player deal, the four-time All-Star is expected to make his debut for the Dodgers on Friday as they visit the Brewers for the opener of their three-game series.

Los Angeles sent five prospects to Baltimore on Wednesday to fill the void both at shortstop and in the batting order that has existed since Corey Seager was forced to undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery after playing only 26 games. The Dodgers, who have belted an NL-high 129 homers this season, figure to utilize the 26-year-old Machado as their regular cleanup hitter after he finished the first half ranked sixth in the American League in blasts (24) and tied for fourth in RBIs (65) while playing for the league-worst Orioles. The Brewers could use a bit of a spark after dropping a season-high six straight while going 1-7 on an eight-game road trip prior to the break. Milwaukee has won six of its last seven at Miller Park, however, and owns the second-best home record in the NL (30-18).

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, SportsNet LA (Los Angeles), FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers LH Rich Hill (2-4, 4.55 ERA) vs. Brewers LH Wade Miley (1-1, 2.38)

Hill has been steady over his last three starts (3.38 ERA, 22 strikeouts in 18 2/3 innings) but may be on the verge of losing his spot in the rotation as Los Angeles has dropped seven of his 11 turns. The 38-year-old pitched in relief for the first time since 2014 on Saturday, walking two and striking out two in one hitless frame versus the Los Angeles Angels. Jesus Aguilar (1-for-2) is the only Brewer to go deep against Hill, who is 2-1 with a 3.92 ERA in seven career appearances (six starts) versus Milwaukee.

Miley will make his fourth start of the season after allowing three runs and eight hits over 11 1/2 innings in his first three turns, including a loss at Pittsburgh on July 12 in which he yielded two runs and four hits over five frames. It was the first outing since May 8 due to an oblique injury for the 31-year-old native of Louisiana, who issued five walks to raise his season total to nine - matching his number of strikeouts on the year. Miley owns a 3-5 record and 4.16 ERA in 12 career starts and one relief appearance against the Dodgers.

WALK-OFFS

1. Dodgers SS-OF Chris Taylor is expected to move into a super-utility role but should make the majority of his starts at second base following the acquisition of Machado.

2. Aguilar, who leads the NL with 24 homers, went 6-for-27 during the Brewers' recent eight-game road trip.

3. Machado is 4-for-25 with no homers in six career games against Milwaukee.

PREDICTION: Dodgers 7, Brewers 4