Los Angeles @ Seattle preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 17, 2018 ) LA Dodgers 11, Seattle 1

After a quiet first few weeks in the National League, Manny Machado seems to be settling in with the Los Angeles Dodgers, who continue their three-game series versus the host Seattle Mariners on Saturday. Machado homered twice in Friday’s 11-1 victory as the Dodgers remained two games back of NL West-leading Arizona.

Machado is 6-for-13 with two home runs and five RBIs over his last three games for the Dodgers, who have won two straight following a five-game losing streak. Yasmani Grandal, Matt Kemp and Max Muncy also homered in Friday’s victory while rookie Walker Buehler continued to impress with eight strikeouts over six innings of one-run ball. The Mariners were held to four hits and matched their most lopsided loss of the season while falling five games behind first-place Houston in the American League West. Dee Gordon made his first start of the season at shortstop in place of Jean Segura (paternity list) and was hitless in three at-bats, ending his four-game hitting streak.

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, SportsNet LA (Los Angeles), ROOT Northwest (Seattle)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers LH Rich Hill (5-4, 3.57 ERA) vs. Mariners RH Erasmo Ramírez (0-2, 6.75)

Hill received a no-decision last Sunday after allowing three runs (two earned) over six innings against Colorado. The 38-year-old has been outstanding since the All-Star break, going 3-0 with a 1.78 ERA over his last five starts covering 30 1/3 innings. Robinson Cano is 5-for-12 with a home run against Hill, who owns a 4-0 record and 1.35 ERA in 11 career games (four starts) against Seattle – including 4-0 with a 0.39 mark in six games (three starts) at Safeco Field.

Ramirez replaced Felix Hernandez in the rotation last Sunday against Houston and tossed five scoreless innings in his first major league start since April 27. The 28-year-old has spent two stints on the disabled list this season but looked sharp in his return against the Astros, allowing three singles while throwing 79 pitches. Ramirez, who is making his first start against the Dodgers, owns a 5-5 record and 5.57 ERA in 21 career interleague games (11 starts).

WALK-OFFS

1. Dodgers OF Yasiel Puig is available to play this weekend while appealing his two-game suspension for inciting a fight in Tuesday’s game against San Francisco.

2. The Mariners purchased the contract of INF Gordon Beckham from Triple-A Tacoma.

3. The Dodgers activated Daniel Hudson from the 10-day disabled list and placed fellow RHP Erik Goeddel on the DL with right elbow inflammation.

PREDICTION: Dodgers 6, Mariners 3