Los Angeles @ Colorado preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 8, 2018 ) LA Dodgers 2, Colorado 4

If the Colorado Rockies go on to win the National League West for the first time in 26th seasons of existence, they likely will be able to look back on their ability to pull out the tight victories over the Los Angeles Dodgers as a major reason why. The Rockies hope to extend their lead over the Dodgers to 2 1/2 games on Sunday, when the division rivals meet in the rubber match of their three-game series in Colorado.

Charlie Blackmon's two-run homer in the fifth inning proved to be the difference in Colorado's 4-2 victory on Saturday, keeping Los Angeles from retaking the lead in the West while also beating its division rival for the fourth time in the last five meetings. The Rockies have held the NL's most homer-happy team to a total of three blasts in their recent victories and done just enough in those contests, as Saturday marked the first time over that stretch Colorado won by more than one run. Los Angeles isn't doing much to help its own cause, however, scoring three runs or fewer in eight of its last 10 contests. The Dodgers have alternated wins and losses over their last five contests and trail St. Louis by one game for the second NL wild-card spot.

TV: 3:10 p.m. ET, SportsNet LA (Los Angeles), AT&T SportsNet-Rocky Mountain (Colorado)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers LH Rich Hill (7-5, 3.73 ERA) vs. Rockies LH Tyler Anderson (6-7, 4.80)

Hill won for the fifth time in six decisions Tuesday against the New York Mets despite surrendering four runs while striking out eight in six innings. The 38-year-old was moved ahead of Alex Wood due to "matchups," according to manager Dave Roberts, but has recorded only one quality start over his last four outings. Nolan Arenado is 3-for-6 with a homer versus Hill, who settled for a no-decision in Colorado on Aug. 12 after yielding three runs - two earned - in six frames.

Anderson rebounded from a dismal start against St. Louis with a no-decision versus San Francisco on Monday, giving up three runs and six hits while registering seven strikeouts over 5 1/3 innings. The native of Las Vegas has struggled in particular since the beginning of August, giving up 30 runs, 41 hits, nine walks and 10 homers in 26 2/3 frames. Anderson's only quality start in that span came against the Dodgers on Aug. 9, when he allowed one run over six innings, although he did not factor in the decision.

WALK-OFFS

1. Saturday's setback was only the second loss in the Dodgers' last 10 games against division rivals.

2. Colorado is 30-6 since June 28 in games started by Kyle Freeland, Jon Gray or German Marquez. In their other 25 contests over that span, the Rockies are 10-15.

3. Los Angeles OF Matt Kemp's next home run in Colorado will move him past former Dodger Eric Karros (21) and into second place for the most homers hit by an opposing player at Coors Field (Barry Bonds, 26).

PREDICTION: Dodgers 6, Rockies 4