Los Angeles @ Texas preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 13, 2018 ) Texas 2, LA Dodgers 3

The Los Angeles Dodgers were the favorites to win the National League West and make a second consecutive trip to the World Series but living up to those expectations is proving to be difficult. The Dodgers will try to take the momentum gained over the weekend out on the road and hope to cut into their two-game deficit in the NL West when they visit the Texas Rangers on Tuesday for the opener of a two-game series.

Los Angeles was swept at home in a head-to-head showdown with another potential playoff participant last week but overcame the losses to the St. Louis Cardinals by beating up on the San Diego Padres over the weekend. "Coming down this last stretch, the personal numbers, stats, don't mean anything as long as we figure how to win a game," Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner told reporters after driving in five runs Sunday. The Rangers occupy the basement in the American League West and are resigned to playing spoiler over the final month of the season. Texas, which dropped four of its last six games, will send rookie right-hander Ariel Jurado to the mound Tuesday opposite Los Angeles righty Walker Buehler.


TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, SportsNet Los Angeles, FS Southwest (Texas)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers RH Walker Buehler (6-4, 2.96 ERA) vs. Rangers RH Ariel Jurado (2-3, 6.40)

Buehler allowed two or fewer earned runs in each of his last five starts and breezed through seven scoreless innings on three hits against the Cardinals on Wednesday without factoring in the decision. The 24-year-old rookie struck out nine in that outing and owns 38 Ks in 32 1/3 innings over his last five turns. Buehler is seeing Texas for the first time and is 2-0 with a 2.76 ERA in three career interleague starts.

Jurado got off to a solid start with wins in two of his first three turns but has since fallen on tough times. The 22-year-old Panama native was ripped for a total of 16 runs and 26 hits in 16 2/3 innings against the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Angels and Oakland Athletics in his last three outings. Jurado will get his first look at an NL opponent Tuesday and is 1-0 with a 6.55 ERA in two starts at home.

WALK-OFFS

1. Rangers SS Elvis Andrus is 2-for-25 over his last six games.

2. Dodgers OF Joc Pederson (knee) was limited to pinch hitting Saturday and Sunday and is day-to-day.

3. Turner went 7-for-15 with nine RBIs in the three games over the weekend.

PREDICTION: Dodgers 5, Rangers 2