Cubs at Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers have been on a roll since losing the final two contests of a three-game set in the Windy City last week and look to keep it going when they continue their four-game set against the visiting Chicago Cubs on Tuesday. After totaling one run in back-to-back losses at Chicago, the Dodgers have won four straight - including a 2-1 triumph in the series opener.
Both of Los Angeles' runs on Monday came on solo homers, giving the club 48 blasts in June - five shy of tying the franchise record for most in one month (53 in June 2017). Chris Taylor, who is nursing a hamstring injury, was kept out of the starting lineup for a third consecutive game but belted a shot as a pinch-hitter in the eighth inning for what proved to be the winning run. Chicago has gone the opposite way since winning two straight against the Dodgers as it enters Tuesday having lost five in a row. The Cubs, who managed only seven singles in the series opener, hope to have Kris Bryant back in the lineup as the former National League Rookie of the Year and MVP has missed the last three games with a sore shoulder.
TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, ESPN, WGN (Chicago), SportsNet LA (Los Angeles)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs LH Jon Lester (9-2, 2.10 ERA) vs. Dodgers RH Ross Stripling (6-2, 1.99)
Lester is hoping to produce a repeat performance after limiting the Dodgers to five hits over seven scoreless innings in a victory on Wednesday. The 34-year-old native of Washington has won five consecutive starts and seven of his last eight decisions, with the only loss being a seven-frame effort against Cleveland on May 23 in which he gave up just one run. With his latest triumph, Lester evened his record at 3-3 with one complete game and a 3.33 ERA in eight career starts versus Los Angeles.
Stripling has revenge on his mind as he took the loss opposite Lester on Wednesday after yielding three runs and eight hits over six innings. The 28-year-old Pennsylvanian had won six straight starts and gone unbeaten in his previous nine turns before falling in Chicago. Stripling, who made three relief appearances against the Cubs prior to Wednesday's start, is 4-0 with a 1.82 ERA in 10 games (five starts) at home this season.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Cubs placed Tyler Chatwood on the paternity list and recalled fellow RHP Duane Underwood Jr., who started Monday and allowed one run over four innings in his major-league debut, from Triple-A Iowa.
2. Los Angeles leads the NL and ranks seventh overall in the majors with 104 home runs.
3. Chicago RHP Yu Darvish (triceps) allowed one run and three hits with five strikeouts in five innings of a rehab start for Single-A South Bend on Monday and could return from the disabled list on the weekend.