Los Angeles @ Arizona preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 2, 2012 ) Arizona 4, LA Dodgers 5

The Los Angeles Dodgers expect to have pitcher Clayton Kershaw and center fielder Matt Kemp in the lineup Tuesday when they open a two-game series against the Diamondbacks in Arizona. Kershaw was scratched from Sunday’s start with a hip injury and will start, barring a game-day setback. Kemp has missed the last two games with shoulder soreness related to a recent collision with an outfield fence. Arizona is 10-6 against Los Angeles this season. The Dodgers trail the St. Louis Cardinals by one game in the National League wild card standings and are five behind the San Francisco Giants in the NL West.

The Diamondbacks are three games below .500 as they enter an eight-game homestand. Arizona has lost six consecutive home games and went 2-8 on its last homestand. The Diamondbacks lost two of three to the San Diego Padres over the weekend and are on the verge of falling out of the National League wild-card race. Diamondbacks rookie outfielder Adam Eaton has two or more hits in four of his first five big-league games and is batting .400 through 25 at-bats.

TV: 9:40 p.m. ET, KCAL (Los Angeles), FS Arizona

PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers LH Clayton Kershaw (12-8, 2.79 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks RH Ian Kennedy (12-11, 4.39)

Kershaw has lost two of his last three decisions despite allowing only seven runs over his past four starts. He took a no-decision in his last outing against the San Diego Padres on Sept. 4 despite giving up only one run and five hits in seven innings. Kershaw is 1-2 with a 3.44 ERA in three starts against Arizona this season. He is 7-4 with a 2.45 ERA in 13 career starts against the Diamondbacks.

Kennedy pitched 6 1/3 innings of two-hit shutout ball while beating the Dodgers on Aug. 30. He followed that up with a no-decision against the San Francisco Giants, allowing five runs and seven hits in 5 2/3 innings. Kennedy is 1-1 with a 1.46 ERA in two starts against Los Angeles this season. He is 4-2 with a 3.80 ERA in seven career starts against the Dodgers.

WALK-OFFS

1. Arizona C Miguel Montero is batting .364 over his last 10 games.

2. Kemp is only 3-for-30 over his last seven games but has two homers in 13 career at-bats against Kennedy.

3. Diamondbacks OF Justin Upton is batting only .115 with nine strikeouts in 26 career at-bats against Kershaw.