Dodgers at Rockies
After suffering their first two home losses, Los Angeles is rolling again. The Dodgers swept a three-game home series from NL East leader Washington and at 16-6 hold the best record in the National League. They look to carry that momentum into Coors Field to face a Rockies’ squad that’s 5½ games behind Los Angeles in the NL West. Colorado has lost four of its past six games.
The Dodgers’ Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier are a combined 6-for-10 with two homers and six RBIs against Colorado starter Juan Nicasio. Keeping Kemp in check is something few pitchers have done. The Los Angeles center fielder leads the majors in average (.425) and homers (11), and is among the leaders with 24 RBIs. The Rockies rank next-to-last in the NL in ERA (4.69) and have surrendered 24 homers, second-most in the Senior Circuit.
TV: 8:40 p.m. ET, KCAL (Los Angeles), Root Sports (Colorado)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Los Angeles RH Aaron Harang (1-1, 5.16 ERA) vs. Colorado RH Juan Nicasio (1-0, 4.76 ERA).
Harang fouled a pitch off his left foot in his last start Wednesday against Atlanta, and the initial swelling concerned the Dodgers. Los Angeles will keep a close eye on the veteran right-hander, who gave up three earned runs in six innings against the Braves but struck out a season-low two hitters.
Nicasio dodged plenty of trouble in his last start, giving up nine hits but allowing just one run Wednesday against Pittsburgh. Nicasio lowered his ERA by more than 1.4 runs, but opponents are hitting .302 against the right-hander.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Dodgers kick off a six-game road swing through Colorado and Chicago. Los Angeles is 6-4 on the road.
2. Colorado pitcher Jorge De La Rosa, who tore a ligament in his left elbow last May, will make his first rehab start Wednesday for Class-A Modesto. Reliever Josh Outman already is on a rehab assignment at Modesto.
3. Los Angeles manager Don Mattingly insists Javy Guerra is still the team’s closer. Guerra, who took a line drive off his face Wednesday against Atlanta, pitched poorly Saturday. Set-up man Kenley Jansen got the save Sunday.