Chicago @ Los Angeles preview
Dodger Stadium
Last Meeting ( May 6, 2012 ) LA Dodgers 3, Chi. Cubs 4
The Los Angeles Dodgers have a chance to climb back into first place in the National League West when they begin their three-game series against the Chicago Cubs on Friday. Los Angeles, which trails San Francisco by one-half game in the division, was outscored 19-4 while being swept of a three-game series at home by Arizona. The disappointing set came after the Dodgers, who have lost seven of eight at home, posted a pair of shutouts in a three-game sweep at San Francisco.
Chicago dropped the final two games of its three-game series against Pittsburgh after recording a 14-4 victory in the opener. The Cubs have lost four of six on the road, scoring a total of three runs in the losses. Chicago took two of three at home against Los Angeles in early May, winning a pair of one-run decisions while suffering a 5-1 loss.
TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, WGN (Chicago), Prime Ticket (Los Angeles)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Jeff Samardzija (7-8, 4.19 ERA) vs. Dodgers RH Chad Billingsley (6-9, 3.89)
Samardzija allowed just two runs and three hits in six innings against St. Louis on Saturday but settled for a no-decision. Since surrendering a season-high nine runs against the New York Mets on June 27, the 27-year-old has yielded three runs or less in five straight outings. Samardzija, who is 4-5 on the road this season, has one victory in two career relief appearances against the Dodgers.
Billingsley has given up a total of one run while winning his last two starts, including a victory at San Francisco on Saturday in which he scattered four hits over 7 1/3 scoreless innings. The 28-year-old had lost five straight outings prior to a triumph at St. Louis on July 23. Billingsley saw his career record against the Cubs even out at 4-4 following a loss at Wrigley Field on May 4 in which he yielded four runs over six frames.
WALK-OFFS
1. Seven of Billingsley's last nine starts have been on the road. He is just 1-4 in nine home outings.
2. The Cubs went 15-10 in July for their first winning month since posting a 16-13 record in August 2011.
3. Bobby Abreu's tenure with the Dodgers is over as the club designated him for assignment after the 38-year-old batted .251 with two home runs and 17 RBIs in 70 games.