Los Angeles @ Pittsburgh preview
PNC Park
Last Meeting ( Aug 15, 2012 ) LA Dodgers 9, Pittsburgh 3
The Los Angeles Dodgers went into their key road series against the Pittsburgh Pirates with the ability to go in either direction in the National League playoff race. Now the Dodgers have a chance to leave town with the NL West lead and their first four-game series sweep at Pittsburgh since the Brooklyn club did it in 1949. Los Angeles has coasted to big wins the past two nights and has won nine straight against the Pirates dating to last season.
It's up to unlikely Pirates ace A.J. Burnett to slow down the Dodgers and get Pittsburgh back to its winning ways at PNC Park. The Pirates had the best home record in the majors before dropping seven of their last nine home games. Los Angeles has scored 20 runs in its past two games.
TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, Prime Ticket, ROOT Sports Pittsburgh
PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers RH Joe Blanton (8-10, 4.61 ERA) vs. Pirates RH A.J. Burnett (14-4, 3.32)
Blanton is winless in two starts since coming over from Philadelphia. He allowed four runs over five innings Saturday at Miami to drop to 0-1 in Dodger blue and remain winless in four starts since July 16. Blanton defeated Pittsburgh on June 25 with the Phillies, giving up three runs (two earned) over seven innings. He is 2-1 with a 3.15 ERA in six games (five starts) against the Pirates.
Burnett already has racked up the second-highest win total of his career - he won 18 in 2008 - but he is coming off a rocky outing against San Diego. He allowed five runs (four earned) in 5 2/3 innings for his second loss since May 2, though he also matched a season high with 10 strikeouts. Burnett is 3-3 with a 3.38 ERA in eight starts against the Dodgers.
WALK-OFFS
1. Dodgers OF Shane Victorino continues to provide a spark at the top of the order. He has hit safely in 11 of 13 games since being acquired from Philadelphia and is riding a nine-game hitting streak.
2. The Pirates allowed five or more runs only seven times in their first 50 home games, but they have given up five or more runs in nine straight contests.
3. The Dodgers are 12-1 when playing in the Eastern time zone this season.