Arizona @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 8, 2012 ) LA Dodgers 1, Arizona 7

The Dodgers are riding a wave of momentum as they begin a nine-game homestand against Arizona, which sits 4 1/2 games out of first in the National League West. Los Angeles moved into a first-place tie with San Francisco after sweeping the Giants in three games. It’s a critical series for Arizona, which plays 13 of its next 16 games against teams with winning records. The Diamondbacks believe they have time to make a run at the postseason, but they’ll need to play more consistently starting this week.

The Dodgers outscored San Francisco 19-3 over the weekend, and the team has received an instant spark from Hanley Ramirez, who is 7-for-20 with seven RBIs in five games since being acquired from Miami. Shortstop Luis Cruz has also provided a boost, going 2-for-4 with two RBIs on Sunday to extend his career-high hitting streak to 12 games. Arizona begins the series with a new third baseman after acquiring Chris Johnson from the Astros in exchange for minor league outfielders Bobby Borchering and Marc Krauss.

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, FS Arizona (Arizona), PRIME (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks RH Trevor Cahill (8-9, 3.86 ERA) vs. Dodgers RH Aaron Harang (7-5, 3.39)

Cahill is 0-2 with a 6.10 ERA in his last two road starts, and he continues to struggle early in games. He has a 7.65 ERA in the first inning while allowing a first-inning run in 11 starts, including seven straight. Cahill gave up four runs in 6 2/3 innings Wednesday against the Rockies, falling to 2-3 with a 4.45 ERA through five starts in July.

Harang allowed two hits and two runs in 7 1/3 innings Wednesday at St. Louis, and he’s only allowed more than three earned runs once in his last 11 outings. He’s 3-6 with a 2.42 ERA in 14 games (13 starts) lifetime against the Diamondbacks, and catcher Miguel Montero is 7-for-14 with a homer against Harang.

WALK-OFFS

1. Montero has reached base safely in 15 of his last 22 plate appearances, going 9-for-16 (.563) with five walks.

2. Dodgers 1B James Loney had two hits Sunday and leads the team in batting this month with a .328 average (21-for-64).

3. The Diamondbacks are 30-24 at home and 21-27 on the road.