Arizona @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 30, 2011 ) Arizona 6, LA Dodgers 4

THE STORY: Two of the hottest hitters in baseball will be on display Sunday in the series finale between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the host Los Angeles Dodgers. Arizona’s Justin Upton has an extra-base hit in 10 straight games, while the Dodgers’ Matt Kemp has a National League-leading 82 RBIs after blasting home runs in each of the last two games.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Arizona, Prime Ticket

PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks LH Joe Saunders (7-8, 3.63 ERA) vs. Dodgers RH Rubby De La Rosa (4-4, 3.49 ERA)

Saunders took a shutout into the ninth inning last Tuesday against San Diego before settling for a 6-1 complete-game victory. Saunders, who allowed six hits and a walk while striking out four, has gone at least seven innings seven times in his past 10 starts. De La Rosa gave up one run on three hits over six innings last Monday against the Rockies. The Dodgers are 2-5 in De La Rosa’s last seven starts. He has 27 strikeouts and 11 walks in his last five starts.

ABOUT THE DIAMONDBACKS (58-49): Looking to improve the back of its starting rotation, Arizona acquired right-hander Jason Marquis on Saturday from the Nationals in exchange for minor league infielder Zach Walters. Marquis is 8-5 with a 3.95 ERA in 20 starts this season, while Walters was batting .302 for Class-A South Bend. Marquis will likely take Micah Owings’ spot in the rotation and serve as the team’s fifth starter. General manager Kevin Towers was interested in acquiring pitching help without giving up any top prospects, and the deal certainly met his criteria. Walters has been impressive this season, but he’s generally viewed as a future utilityman in the majors. The Diamondbacks will take on the rest of the $2.5 million Marquis is owed this season as part of the deal. Also Saturday, Arizona recalled reliever Ryan Cook from Triple-A Reno and placed reliever Alberto Castillo on the 15-day disabled list with a shoulder injury.

ABOUT THE DODGERS (48-58): The Dodgers have agreed to trade shortstop Rafael Furcal to St. Louis before Sunday’s trade deadline. The Cardinals are reportedly sending a minor-league outfielder to the Dodgers. With Furcal traded, the Dodgers are expected to promote Dee Gordon from Triple-A Albuquerque and make him the everyday starter at shortstop. Starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda was mentioned in various trade talks this week, but he'll likely stick with the Dodgers instead of waiving his no-trade clause. Kuroda has a 3.11 ERA and will become a free agent in the offseason. Infielder Juan Uribe’s disappointing season continued Saturday when he was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a lower abdomen strain. Uribe is batting just .204 with four home runs and 28 RBIs after signing a three-year, $21 million contract last offseason. To replace Uribe on the roster, the Dodgers activated third baseman Casey Blake (neck) from the disabled list.

FINAL PITCH: The Dodgers are 2-9 in their last 11 games against a left-handed starter.