Philadelphia @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 8, 2015 ) Philadelphia 0, LA Dodgers 5

Pity the Philadelphia Phillies, who face Los Angeles’ Zack Greinke one day after being shutout by Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw. Greinke owns a major-league leading 1.48 ERA and brings a career-best scoreless streak of 27 2/3 innings into Thursday’s series finale against the visiting Phillies, who fell to 11-33 on the road with Wednesday's 5-0 loss.

Dodgers shortstop Jimmy Rollins has struggled all season, but he’s 4-for-12 with a home run, four runs scored and five RBI in the first three games of the series against his former team. Manager Don Mattingly continues to exercise patience with both Rollins and right fielder Yasiel Puig, who went 0-for-4 from the leadoff spot Wednesday and is batting .152 over his last 12 games. The Phillies have lost 11 of their last 14 and appear eager to give first baseman Darin Ruf an extended look. Ruf has started the last two games over veteran Ryan Howard, but the 28-year-old has failed to capitalize with five hits in 25 at-bats since being recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, CSN (Philadelphia), SportsNet LA (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Severino Gonzalez (3-2, 8.28 ERA) vs. Dodgers RH Zack Greinke (7-2, 1.48)

Gonzalez has shuttled between Triple-A and Philadelphia all season, but he could be in the majors to stay after being named to replace Kevin Correia in the rotation earlier this week. “I like the way he attacks the zone,” interim manager Pete Mackanin told reporters. “He's not an ace, but he's capable of being a starter at this level.” The 22-year-old rookie owns a 25-to-5 strikeout-to-walk ratio through six starts covering 25 innings.

Greinke can strengthen his case to start next week’s All-Star Game with another stellar outing, but he already has the numbers to make a strong argument. The 31-year-old is aiming to become the first starting pitcher to have a sub-1.50 ERA before the break since Roger Clemens (1.48) achieved the feat for Houston in 2005. Greinke is 4-1 with a 2.48 ERA in six career games (five starts) against the Phillies.

WALK-OFFS

1. Philadelphia starting pitchers are 3-19 with a 6.76 ERA since June 1.

2. The Dodgers optioned RHP Yimi Garcia and LHP Ian Thomas to Triple-A Oklahoma City and recalled RHP Chin-Hui Tsao and RHP Josh Ravin.

3. The Phillies announced that RHP David Buchanan will be recalled from Triple-A to start Saturday’s game in San Francisco.

PREDICTION: Dodgers 6, Phillies 1