Dodgers at Rockies
The Los Angeles Dodgers were among the worst teams in the National League just over two weeks ago, but their play since then has them on the verge of gaining control of the wide-open NL West in the near future. The Dodgers set their sights on a series sweep and their 13th victory in 17 contests when they complete their three-game set against the host Colorado Rockies on Sunday.
The Dodgers matched their worst 42-game start since 1958 (16-26) and found themselves 8 1/2 games out of first place in the West on May 16, but a road sweep of Washington and series win at home against Colorado from May 21-23 near the beginning of the surge helped get the defending NL champions within 2 1/2 of division-leading Arizona. Los Angeles is clicking on all cylinders offensively this weekend in Coors Field, scoring 23 runs through two games to knock Colorado out of first place. The Rockies began their nine-game homestand by winning four of five, but Saturday's 12-4 setback was their third straight and dropped them to 11-14 in Denver. Although Charlie Blackmon has added only one home run to his team-best total of 11 since May 4, the two-time All-Star singled twice Saturday and has recorded three straight two-hit efforts - and six overall - during his season-best 10-game hitting streak.
TV: 3:10 p.m. ET, SportsNet LA (Los Angeles), AT&T SportsNet-Rocky Mountain (Colorado)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers LH Alex Wood (1-4, 3.75 ERA) vs. Rockies RH Chad Bettis (4-1, 3.68)
Wood followed up his first win of the season with his worst performance in over a month in a no-decision against San Diego last Saturday, surrendering five runs and six hits - three homers - in 5 1/3 innings. The Georgia product originally was scheduled to start Friday's series opener, but the team opted to give him two more days to deal with lingering hamstring cramps. Blackmon is 7-for-16 with five RBIs versus Wood, who is 1-2 with an 8.18 ERA in five career starts at Coors Field.
Bettis was fortunate to escape with a no-decision for a fourth straight outing Monday against San Francisco after yielding five runs and 10 hits in six frames. The 29-year-old Texan has struggled to find his form since going 4-1 with a 2.05 ERA through seven turns, recording a 6.95 ERA during his winless spell. Justin Turner is 9-for-18 and Matt Kemp (5-for-17) has homered versus Bettis, who gave up two runs over five innings in Los Angeles on May 22.
WALK-OFFS
1. Kemp has hit 44 career homers versus the Rockies, 16 more than any other active player.
2. Rockies C Chris Iannetta popped out as a pinch-hitter in his only at-bat Saturday, ending his 19-game on-base streak.
3. Los Angeles OF Joc Pederson, who went 4-for-5 with two solo shots and scored four runs on Saturday, is batting .359 on the road in 2018.