Los Angeles @ St. Louis preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 23, 2012 ) LA Dodgers 5, St. Louis 3

The suddenly potent Los Angeles Dodgers go for their sixth straight win Tuesday when they resume their four-game series in St. Louis. Los Angeles has scored 33 runs in its five-game win streak after plating just 19 in its previous six games. The Dodgers are getting surprise contributions: In Monday’s series-opening 5-3 win, rookie shortstop Luis Cruz belted a three-run homer. But the big bat of Matt Kemp is the biggest reason for L.A.’s revival.

In nine games since returning from a strained left hamstring, Kemp is hitting .366 with two homers, six RBIs and six runs scored. St. Louis, meanwhile, can’t seem to hit against anyone but the Chicago Cubs lately. The Cardinals went 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position Monday, echoing their struggles on a recent 1-5 road trip. St. Louis has dropped eight straight to the Dodgers.

TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, FS-M, KCAL, MLBN

PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers LH Clayton Kershaw (7-5, 2.74 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Adam Wainwright (7-10, 4.42)

Batters are hitting .219 against Kershaw, who has allowed two earned runs in his last two starts covering 14 innings. He’s 4-2 with a 2.75 ERA in nine career starts against the Cardinals. On May 19 in Los Angeles, he tossed a six-hit shutout at St. Louis, fanning four and walking none.

Wainwright was a hard-luck loser last time out, allowing one earned run in seven innings at Milwaukee. He struck out nine and walked none. In 10 career appearances against the Dodgers, he’s 3-3 with a 3.10 ERA. Kemp is just 2-for-14 (.143) against him.

WALK-OFFS

1. Eighteen consecutive St. Louis starters have lasted at least six innings.

2. Cards RF Carlos Beltran has a team-high 22 homers and 71 RBIs after hitting a two-run shot Monday.

3. Dodgers 2B Mark Ellis has hit safely in eight of his last nine games.