Tampa Bay @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( May 22, 2019 ) LA Dodgers 1, Tampa Bay 8

Blake Snell makes his first start since July 21 when the Tampa Bay Rays visit the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday in the opener of a two-game interleague series. Snell, the reigning American League Cy Young winner, underwent arthroscopic surgery to remove loose bodies from his left elbow but hopes to help Tampa Bay emerge from a three-team scrum with a wild card spot.

“Overall I was happy with it,’’ Snell told reporters about his final rehab start with Triple-A Durham. “It was a huge stride forward compared to the last start. I felt a lot more comfortable than I did. … A lot more in control of the fastball. … Still making strides. Still getting there. I definitely feel a lot more confident where I’m at right now.’’ The Rays, who lead Cleveland by 1 1/2 games for the final playoff berth and trail first-place Oakland by one game, are 3-3 on their eight-game road trip. Los Angeles has already wrapped up its seventh straight National League West title and is one game behind Houston and the New York Yankees for the best record in baseball. The Dodgers' starting rotation suffers a big drop off after NL Cy Young candidates Hyun-Jim Ryu, Clayton Kershaw and Walker Buehler with Ross Stripling - Tuesday's starter - trying to solidify the No. 4 spot.

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, YouTube

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays LH Blake Snell (6-7, 4.28 ERA) vs. Dodgers RH Ross Stripling (4-4, 3.40)

Snell started to resemble the pitcher that went 21-5 with a 1.89 ERA last season in his last four starts before surgery. The 26-year-old Washington native allowed four runs over 22 innings during that span to lower an ERA that soared to 5.01. Snell will be available for up to three innings Tuesday and since the game will be played under NL rules, he may not get an at-bat.

Stripling received a no-decision after allowing one run and three hits in three innings of Los Angeles' 7-3 loss at Baltimore on Wednesday. The 29-year-old Texan is 2-3 with a 3.36 ERA in 14 starts this season compared to 2-1, 3.57 in 15 relief appearances, allowing less than one hit per inning in each role. Stripling has pitched four scoreless frames in two relief outings against Tampa Bay, including one inning in Florida on May 22.

WALK-OFFS

1. Rays OF Austin Meadows has a hit in every September contest and is 22-for-52 with seven home runs, 18 RBIs and 16 runs scored during the 14-game span.

2. Dodgers 3B Justin Turner (ankle) hasn't played since Sept. 7, but could return to the lineup Tuesday.

3. The clubs split a pair of contests at Tropicana Field in May with Tampa Bay prevailing 8-1 and the Dodgers winning 7-3.

PREDICTION: Dodgers 3, Rays 2