The Los Angeles Dodgers are knocking out every team in their path while the punchless Philadelphia Phillies haven't picked themselves off the mat since the All-Star break. Winners of a season-high 10 in a row and a staggering 42 of their last 50, the visiting Dodgers will vie for a three-game series sweep on Sunday when they face the flustered Phillies. Juan Uribe belted a three-run homer and Clayton Kershaw tossed eight solid innings as Los Angeles extended its shutout streak to 27 innings with a 5-0 triumph on Saturday.
On the other end of the spectrum resides Philadelphia, which has dropped 21 of 25 - including the first two contests via shutout under the watch of interim manager Ryne Sandberg. The Phillies matched their series-opening total by mustering just three hits. Left-hander Cole Hamels will take the mound in his first start since tossing a complete-game gem versus Atlanta to give then-manager Charlie Manuel his 1,000th career victory - and ultimately his last with the franchise.
TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, TBS, Prime Ticket (Los Angeles), WB17 (Philadelphia)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers RH Ricky Nolasco (9-9, 3.62 ERA) vs. Phillies LH Cole Hamels (5-13, 3.65)
Nolasco collected his third straight victory after allowing two runs on seven hits in 6 1/3 innings. The 30-year-old owns an 8-6 career mark versus the Phillies, but is 0-1 with a pair of no-decisions against them this season. Nolasco yielded two runs on four hits in 6 2/3 innings, but took a no-decision after Philadelphia posted a 7-3 triumph on June 4.
Hamels recorded his first victory since July 9 after permitting one run on six hits with nine strikeouts in a 5-1 victory over Atlanta on Monday. The 2008 World Series MVP has handcuffed the Dodgers in his career, posting a 3-1 mark with a 1.64 ERA while limiting them to a .213 batting average. While his 2013 record leaves a bit to be desired, Hamels owns a 3-2 mark with a 1.98 ERA since the end of June.
WALK-OFFS
1. Uribe has hit safely in seven of eight games, collecting multiple hits in five of those contests. He is just 1-for-11 versus Hamels.
2. Philadelphia OF Domonic Brown, who recorded his team's first hit in the fifth inning on Saturday, is 6-for-15 with a homer against Nolasco.
3. Los Angeles, which has won 19 of 20 on the road, has won six straight in Philadelphia.