Los Angeles @ Baltimore preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 10, 2019 ) LA Dodgers 7, Baltimore 3

The Los Angeles Dodgers clinched the National League West crown for the seventh straight time and have loads of time to get themselves prepped for the playoffs. They begin that preparation in earnest Wednesday in the second of a three-game interleague series with the host Baltimore Orioles.

Corey Seager, one of several regulars who likely sees plenty of rest in the final three weeks of the season, went deep twice and drove in five runs in Tuesday's 7-3 division-clinching victory at Camden Yards. Top prospect Gavin Lux hit his first major league home run among three hits after opening his career as a Dodger with just three hits in 20 at-bats. Lux and several other call-ups should see an increase in action in the coming days and they'll get their first look at Baltimore lefty John Means, who starts Wednesday opposite Ross Stripling for Los Angeles. The Orioles suffered their 98th loss Tuesday as they inch toward the 12th 100-loss campaign in franchise history.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, SportsNet LA (Los Angeles), MASN (Baltimore)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers RH Ross Stripling (4-4, 3.42 ERA) vs. Orioles LH John Means (10-10, 3.50)

Stripling made five starts in July, but has been used sparingly since sitting out more than a month due to a biceps injury, first working three innings as a starter Sept. 1 and then tossing two innings of relief last Wednesday. He is 2-3 with a 3.38 ERA in 13 starts on the year, including an interleague outing at Boston on July 13 in which he allowed one run and struck out seven in five frames. The 29-year-old has never faced the Orioles and owns a 2.98 ERA in 18 career games (six starts) against American League teams.

Means endured a rocky stretch not long after the All-Star break but he has turned a corner with three straight quality starts. He has a 2.18 ERA during that span but was a hard-luck loser against Texas his last time out while giving up two runs over 6 2/3 innings. The Kansas native, who has never met the Dodgers, was chased after 3 1/3 innings while giving up three runs in his last interleague start July 24 at Arizona.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Dodgers recalled 3B Edwin Rios from Triple-A Oklahoma City.

2. Baltimore has lost six straight, including the last five at home.

3. Los Angeles' streak of seven consecutive playoff appearances is the third-longest in major league history.

PREDICTION: Dodgers 6, Orioles 4