St. Louis @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 20, 2018 ) St. Louis 5, LA Dodgers 3

After spoiling Kenley Jansen’s return from the disabled list with back-to-back home runs, the St. Louis Cardinals continue their three-game series against the host Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday. Jedd Gyorko and Matt Carpenter each homered off the Dodgers’ closer to begin the ninth inning on Monday as the surging Cardinals improved to 15-4 in August with the 5-3 victory.

Jansen missed two weeks due to an irregular heartbeat and struggled in his first game back against the Cardinals, who pulled within 3 1/2 games of the Chicago Cubs in the NL Central and even with Philadelphia and Colorado for the second wild card spot. Matt Carpenter snapped a 1-for-20 slump with three hits while Jose Martinez (tight right hip) had two hits and two RBIs in his first start since last Friday. Justin Turner extended his hitting streak to 14 straight games for the Dodgers, who fell 2 1/2 games behind first-place Arizona in the NL West and two back in the race for the NL’s second wild card. Cody Bellinger saw his 12-game hitting streak come to an end, but Manny Machado started at third base and went 1-for-3 after leaving Sunday’s contest with a sore left wrist.

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, ESPN, FS Midwest (St. Louis), SportsNet LA (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals RH Daniel Poncedeleon (0-0, 2.04 ERA) vs. Dodgers LH Hyun-Jin Ryu (3-0, 1.77)

Poncedeleon is joining the rotation in place of Luke Weaver, who has been moved to the bullpen after losing four of his last five decisions. A Southern California native, the 26-year-old Poncedeleon threw seven no-hit innings at Cincinnati in a start on July 23 and has allowed a total of four runs in five relief appearances. “We’re looking at creating opportunities for guys and he’s more than earned the opportunity,” interim manager Mike Shildt told reporters.

Making his first start since early May, Ryu tossed six scoreless innings last Wednesday and recorded six strikeouts against San Francisco. The 31-year-old native of South Korea had been sidelined by a groin injury but appeared fully healthy in his return, allowing three hits while throwing 89 pitches. Gyorko is hitless in 12 at-bats against Ryu, who owns a 1-1 record and 1.50 ERA in four career games (three starts) versus St. Louis.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Dodgers are 36-12 when hitting two or more home runs.

2. St. Louis C Yadier Molina is hitless in his last 17 at-bats.

3. The Dodgers placed LHP Zac Rosscup on the 10-day disabled list with a left calf strain.

PREDICTION: Dodgers 7, Cardinals 3