Houston @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 3, 2018 ) Houston 2, LA Dodgers 1

There is a definite postseason feel in the air this weekend at Dodger Stadium, where the Los Angeles Dodgers and Houston Astros are meeting in a rematch of last year’s World Series. After opening the three-game interleague set with a 2-1 victory behind ace Justin Verlander, Houston aims for its fourth straight win on Saturday.

Verlander struck out 14 batters in 7 2/3 innings and Hector Rendon recorded his 11th save Friday as the Astros improved to a major league-best 38-17 on the road. George Springer returned after missing one game with a sore left shoulder and delivered an RBI double in three at-bats from the leadoff spot, but Martin Maldonado went 0-for-2 with a walk and is hitless in his last 32 at-bats. Los Angeles set Dodger Stadium records for runs scored and homers (seven) in Thursday’s 21-5 win over Milwaukee but was held to four hits in Friday’s series opener. Joc Pederson homered in the first inning for the second straight game, but the Astros cooled off the red-hot Yasmani Grandal, who went 0-for-4 with four strikeouts.

TV: 9:10 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet-Southwest (Houston), SportsNet LA (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Lance McCullers Jr. (10-6, 4.06 ERA) vs. Dodgers RH Kenta Maeda (7-6, 3.48)

McCullers lost his third straight start on Sunday, allowing four runs - three earned - and six hits while striking out 11 across 5 1/3 innings against Texas. The 24-year-old Floridian retired the first 11 batters he faced and permitted just one baserunner in the first four frames before running into trouble in the sixth. McCullers faced the Dodgers twice in last season’s World Series, giving up three runs over 7 2/3 innings.

Maeda served up a three-run homer in his second straight start and took the loss after giving up four runs over 4 2/3 innings against Milwaukee on Monday. The 30-year-old had posted a 2.34 ERA over his previous 10 starts but exited early versus the Brewers after throwing 102 pitches. Maeda made four relief appearances against Houston in last season’s World Series, giving up one run and five hits over 5 2/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Houston RHP Roberto Osuna (suspension) is expected to be activated prior to Sunday’s series finale.

2. The Dodgers placed Erik Goeddel on the 10-day disabled list with right lat inflammation and activated fellow RHP John Axford, who was acquired from Toronto on Tuesday.

3. The Astros placed RHP Chris Devenski on the 10-day DL with left hamstring tightness and recalled LHP Cionel Perez from Triple-A Fresno.

PREDICTION: Astros 5, Dodgers 4