Milwaukee @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 22, 2018 ) LA Dodgers 11, Milwaukee 2

The Los Angeles Dodgers introduced the Manny Machado era with a series victory over the Milwaukee Brewers that kicked off a 10-game road trip against National League playoff hopefuls following the All-Star break. Seemingly back on track after dropping two of three in that series, the Brewers hope to avenge those setbacks when they visit the Dodgers on Monday for the opener of their four-game set.

Milwaukee's poor play bridging the Midsummer Classic quickly dropped the club from atop the NL Central to as many as 3 1/2 games behind the Chicago Cubs. The Brewers rebounded nicely by winning five of six to pull within one-half game of the Cubs before dropping an 8-5 decision at San Francisco on Sunday, preventing a sweep of the four-game series. The Dodgers went 6-4 on their trek through Milwaukee, Philadelphia and Atlanta, failing to complete a four-game sweep of the Braves as they managed only two hits in Sunday's 4-1 loss. Machado, who extended his on-base streak to a career-high 29 games in the defeat, went 5-for-13 against the Brewers from July 20-22 in his first three games with the Dodgers.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Freddy Peralta (4-2, 3.74 ERA) vs. Dodgers RH Kenta Maeda (7-5, 3.27)

Peralta is coming off the worst of the eight starts to begin his major-league career, a loss to Washington on Wednesday in which he surrendered seven runs on four hits - two homers - and four walks over six innings. The 22-year-old Dominican has yielded 10 runs in his last nine 9 2/3 frames after permitting a total of eight over his first 33 2/3 innings. Peralta is holding right-handed hitters to a .071 average over 70 at-bats as he enters his first career meeting with Los Angeles.

Maeda was sharp over his first six innings Tuesday in Philadelphia, allowing just one run, before settling for a no-decision after serving up a three-run homer in the seventh to waste a start in which he recorded seven strikeouts over seven frames. The outing marked the first time in 10 turns since May 11 the 30-year-old native of Japan yielded more than three runs. Ryan Braun (3-for-8) and Christian Yelich (3-for-6) have the most experience against Maeda, who is 2-1 with a 2.01 ERA and 0.99 WHIP in four career starts versus Milwaukee.

WALK-OFFS

1. Despite going 0-for-3 on Sunday, Dodgers C Yasmani Grandal is hitting .371 with six home runs and 14 RBIs this month.

2. Yelich, who went 7-for-12 in the previous series between the clubs, is riding a 13-game hitting streak during which he has recorded 11 multi-hit performances - including six straight entering Monday's contest.

3. Out of Los Angeles' NL-leading 143 home runs, a major league-high 101 have been solo shots.

PREDICTION: Dodgers 6, Brewers 2