Detroit @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 21, 2011 ) Detroit 1, LA Dodgers 6

THE STORY: The Los Angeles Dodgers look for their season-high fourth straight win on Wednesday when they conclude a three-game series against the visiting Detroit Tigers. The Dodgers have outscored the Tigers 10-1 in the first two games. Detroit, which entered the series batting .321 over its previous 14 games, has lost five of its last seven.

TV: 3:10 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Detroit, Prime Ticket

PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Rick Porcello (6-5, 4.18) vs. Dodgers LH Ted Lilly (5-6, 4.26 ERA)

Porcello gave up nine runs - six earned - on eight hits and two walks over three innings last Friday against the Rockies. The Tigers are 6-2 in Porcello’s last eight interleague starts. Lilly allowed six runs - five earned - on eight hits and two walks against the Astros last Friday. The Dodgers are 0-4 in Lilly’s last four Wednesday starts.

ABOUT THE TIGERS (39-35): Third baseman Brandon Inge (mono) went 2-for-4 with two solo homers Tuesday as he continues his minor league rehab assignment with Triple-A Toledo. Inge is batting .240 (6-for-25) over six games during his rehab stint. He could be activated from the disabled list when the Tigers returns home Friday. After starting the season 6-0, Max Scherzer has come back to earth with a 7.79 ERA in his past six starts. His ERA increased to 4.61 after giving up six runs in six innings on Tuesday. Alex Avila is closing in on Yankees catcher Russell Martin in All-Star balloting for the starting American League catcher. Avila also has a sizeable lead over Twins catcher Joe Mauer, who is nearly 400,000 votes back in third place. The Tigers will participate in the Dodgers’ throwback series Wednesday by wearing road jerseys resembling what they wore in 1944.

ABOUT THE DODGERS (34-41): With catcher Rod Barajas (ankle) on the 15-day disabled list, A.J. Ellis is hoping to get an opportunity to prove himself. Ellis was called up from Triple-Albuquerque as soon as Barajas went down Sunday, but he didn’t start until Tuesday. Ellis hit .307 with 12 doubles in Albuquerque, and he could provide an upgrade offensively over both Barajas and Dioner Navarro. Ellis hit .267 in six games with the Dodgers in April, but he hit .318 over his final 28 games last season. Left fielder Marcus Thames has started four of the past six games as manager Don Mattingly looks for some additional power from his lineup. Third baseman Casey Blake (sore neck) wasn’t in the starting lineup for the second straight game Tuesday, but he appeared as a pinch-hitter. Jonathan Broxton (elbow) allowed one run in one inning Tuesday in his first minor league rehab appearance with Triple-A Albuquerque. He’ll make his next appearance on Thursday.

FINAL PITCH: The Tigers are 21-8 in their last 29 interleague games against a left-handed starter.