Colorado @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 12, 2011 ) LA Dodgers 10, Colorado 8

THE STORY: The Los Angeles Dodgers are showing some life, winning three of four. If they are to become a factor in the National League West, however, they must take advantage of the struggling Colorado Rockies, who come to town for the first of three games Monday. The Dodgers won two of three against Washington to start their nine-game home stand. The Rockies have lost six of nine and have allowed 32 runs in their last four games, but at least they are 19-14 in series openers (12-22 in series finales). Colorado has won five of nine against the Dodgers this season, one of three in Los Angeles.

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET; ROOT (Colorado), PRIME (Los Angeles).

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies RH Juan Nicasio (4-2, 3.88) vs. Dodgers RH Rubby De La Rosa (3-4, 3.73).

Nicasio has not allowed more than a run in three of his last four starts. He gave up one in his last outing against Atlanta July 20, but did not get a decision. The 24-year-old rookie has struck out 42 and walked just 14 in 58 innings. Nicasio yielded four runs on seven hits against the Dodgers on June 9, without a decision. Matt Kemp was 2-for-3 with a homer against Nicasio. De La Rosa has not won since June 12 against Colorado, when he allowed three runs over five innings. He also shut out the Rockies in two innings of relief in May. De La Rosa has lost his last four decisions, but has not given up more than three runs in his last four starts. Seth Smith hit a three-run homer off De La Rosa in the June 12 game.

ABOUT THE DODGERS (45-56): The Dodgers have scored more runs than just three teams – Oakland, San Diego and Seattle. Their chances won’t improve unless that changes. Kemp continues to lead every key category with 24 homers, 73 RBIs and 27 stolen bases, but no other hitter has more than nine homers and only one other has more than 33 RBIs. Even Kemp has just one RBI in seven games. Andre Ethier does not have an RBI and is 5-for-33 his last nine games. Juan Rivera is 8-for-27 with a home run since being acquired from Toronto.

ABOUT THE ROCKIES (48-54): The Rockies’ offense had no punch Sunday, managing just five hits off Micah Owings and Zach Duke. But Colorado has been better since the All-Star break, scoring 62 runs in 11 games. Troy Tulowitzki has warmed up, going 11-for-28 with two homers and seven RBIs in his last seven games. Dexter Fowler had just one hit in the last two games, but is 10-for-22 in the past six with six RBIs. Todd Helton is tied with Manny Ramirez for 23rd on the all-time list in doubles with 547 and is batting .319 with a .404 on-base percentage.

FINAL PITCH: Dodgers infielder Juan Uribe was held out of Sunday’s game with a left hip flexor strain, the same injury that landed him on the disabled list earlier this season. Uribe is batting just .204