Arizona @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 29, 2011 ) Arizona 5, LA Dodgers 9

THE STORY: The Los Angeles Dodgers are far out of playoff contention, but that doesn’t mean they can’t thrive in the spoiler role. The Dodgers have won five of their last six -- including Friday's 9-5 triumph over the Diamondbacks -- and nine of their last 11 at home, where they face Arizona again on Saturday night. After visiting Los Angeles, the second-place Diamondbacks start a three-game series against NL West-leading San Francisco on Monday.

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Arizona, KCAL

PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks RH Micah Owings (4-0, 2.36) vs. Dodgers RH Chad Billingsley (9-8, 3.92)

Owings earned his career-high-tying fourth straight win in his return to the starting rotation Sunday against the Rockies, allowing two hits over five scoreless innings. He is 1-2 with a 6.91 ERA in nine career games – four starts – against the Dodgers. Billingsley allowed two hits while striking out 10 over seven innings Sunday in a 3-1 victory over Washington. The Dodgers are 4-1 in Billingsley’s last five home starts.

ABOUT THE DODGERS (48-57): Casey Blake (neck) could be activated from the disabled list as soon as Saturday, but infielder Juan Uribe (hip flexor strain) could replace him on the DL. Eugenio Velez started at second base Friday and is 0-for-13 this season. Once Blake returns, Aaron Miles will likely move back to second. Reliever Kenley Jansen landed on the 15-day DL on Friday with cardiac arrhythmia. Jansen will be out three weeks because he was placed on a blood thinner to prevent a clot. The Dodgers recalled reliever Josh Lindblom from Double-A Chattanooga. Lindblom, who had a 2.18 ERA and 16 saves for Chattanooga, will likely pitch middle relief. Earlier this week, infielder Jamey Carroll’s name was mentioned in a possible trade with Cleveland, but now it appears Rafael Furcal is more likely to be dealt. St. Louis and Arizona have reportedly inquired about Furcal, who is batting just .197.

ABOUT THE DIAMONDBACKS (57-49): Looking for outfield depth in the minors, Arizona acquired Ryan Langerhans from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for cash considerations Friday. Langerhans, who will report to Triple-A Reno, was batting .313 with 16 home runs for Seattle’s Triple-A squad. Many thought the Diamondbacks would trade for a shortstop after Stephen Drew suffered a season-ending ankle injury July 20, but the team may stand pat with Willie Bloomquist and Cody Ransom. Bloomquist has hit safely in 18 of his last 20 starts at shortstop. Left fielder Gerardo Parra has settled into a platoon with rookie Collin Cowgill, who was recalled from Reno earlier this week. First baseman prospect Paul Goldschmidt, who is batting .301 with 30 home runs and 90 RBIs for Double-A Mobile, could follow Cowgill to the majors if Brandon Allen struggles. Xavier Nady started at first Friday and went 1-for-4.

FINAL PITCH: Dodgers center fielder Matt Kemp (25 home runs, 27 stolen bases) hit a three-run homer Friday, making him the fifth fastest National League hitter to join the 25/25 club.