Diamondbacks at Dodgers
There’s concern in Arizona and Los Angeles for two very different reasons as the teams begin a two-game set. After a promising start, the Diamondbacks have lost nine of their last 12 games to fall 8 1/2 games behind the Dodgers. Arizona is beginning a seven-game road trip, which might be a good thing considering the team has lost 12 of its last 15 at Chase Field.
Los Angeles is coming off a three-game sweep of Colorado, but is awaiting word on Matt Kemp’s left hamstring after the MVP candidate was forced to leave Sunday in the third inning. Kemp, who leads the Dodgers with 12 home runs and a .359 average, initially injured his hamstring last Sunday. If Kemp lands on the disabled list, it could mean a greater role for new acquisition Bobby Abreu, who had a three-run double in Sunday’s 11-5 win over the Rockies.
TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, FSAZ (Arizona), Prime Ticket (Los Angeles)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks RH Ian Kennedy (3-2, 3.91 ERA) vs. Dodgers LH Clayton Kershaw (2-1, 2.56 ERA)
Kennedy had his worst outing of the season last Tuesday against St. Louis, giving up six runs over seven innings for his second straight loss. Kennedy, who has pitched at least six innings in each of his seven starts, went 3-0 with a 3.46 ERA in four starts against Los Angeles last year.
Kershaw was a hard-luck loser in his last start, allowing two runs over eight innings in the Dodgers’ 2-1 loss to the Giants last Tuesday. Kershaw, who is 6-2 with a 2.15 ERA in 10 starts against the Diamondbacks, has limited Arizona hitters to a .191 average.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Diamondbacks’ Justin Upton is batting 6-for-38 (.158) in his last 10 games.
2. Kemp has played in 399 consecutive games, the longest current streak in the majors.
3. Arizona shortstop Stephen Drew (ankle) slid during a pregame drill Saturday, and he could be ready to begin a rehab assignment this week.