Los Angeles @ Colorado preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 1, 2018 ) Colorado 4, LA Dodgers 6

The Colorado Rockies aim to break out of their funk when they open a pivotal four-game series against the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday. The Rockies have dropped six of their past eight games and reside in third place in the National League West while Los Angeles stands a half-game behind the division-leading Arizona Diamondbacks.

The Dodgers fell out the top spot with Wednesday's 3-2 loss to the Oakland Athletics while the Rockies lost 4-3 to the Pittsburgh Pirates to drop three games behind the Diamondbacks. Los Angeles is struggling offensively with 10 runs in the past five games after setting season-highs with 21 runs and seven homers in a win against the Milwaukee Brewers on Aug. 2. Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal hit a solo shot in Wednesday's loss to reach at least 20 homers for the third consecutive campaign. Colorado also is having troubles tallying runs as it has scored three or fewer in 11 of the past 16 games, including each of the past three outings.

TV: 8:40 p.m. ET, MLB Network; SportsNet LA (Los Angeles), AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain (Colorado)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers RH Ross Stripling (8-3, 2.68 ERA) vs. Rockies LH Tyler Anderson (6-4, 4.05)

Stripling (right big toe) will be activated off the 10-day disabled list to make the start and will look to recapture his earlier form. The 28-year-old was a first-time All-Star because of his stellar 2.08 ERA but was 0-1 with a 9.35 ERA in two starts after the break before going on the DL. Stripling gave up four runs and nine hits over six innings in a no-decision against the Rockies on July 1 and stands 1-1 with a 2.88 ERA in 10 career appearances (three starts) versus Colorado.

Anderson served up three homers and allowed seven runs (matching a season worst) and seven hits over four innings while falling to the Milwaukee Brewers in his last turn. The 28-year-old was unbeaten (2-0) over his previous six starts and gave up four earned runs over the first five. Anderson is 1-0 with a 3.46 ERA in two starts against the Dodgers this season and is 3-3 with a 4.09 ERA in nine career turns against Los Angeles.

WALK-OFFS

1. Rockies All-Star CF Charlie Blackmon has recorded back-to-back two-hit outings after being 1-for-21 with seven strikeouts in his first five games of the month.

2. Los Angeles OF Joc Pederson is 1-for-9 over his last three games after hitting three homers in a two-game span.

3. Colorado LHP Chris Rusin (foot) could be activated off the 10-day disabled list as soon as Thursday.

PREDICTION: Rockies 8, Dodgers 6