Los Angeles @ Arizona preview
Chase Field
Last Meeting ( Jul 31, 2011 ) Arizona 6, LA Dodgers 3
THE STORY: The Arizona Diamondbacks missed out on their chance to regain sole possession of first place in the National League West Wednesday, falling one game behind the San Francisco Giants with an 8-1 loss that completed their 4-2 road trip. They'll continue toward that goal Friday when they begin a 10-game homestand with the opener of the three-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Arizona has won eight of its last 11 games while Los Angeles has dropped three of five. The Dodgers, however, have won three of their last four road contests.
TV: 9:40 p.m. ET, Prime Ticket (Los Angeles), FSN (Arizona)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers RH Chad Billingsley (9-9, 4.15 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks Josh Collmenter (6-6, 3.10 ERA).
Billingsley is coming off a loss at home to Arizona on Saturday in which he surrendered six runs in 5 2/3 innings. The 27-year-old is 0-2 against the Diamondbacks this season despite holding Arizona to a .174 batting average. Billingsley has gone 4-5 with a 5.63 ERA in 11 road starts this year.
After winning his first career meeting with the Dodgers, Collmenter allowed five runs in just 3 2/3 innings Friday in a loss at Los Angeles. It was the fifth defeat in seven decisions for the 25-year-old rookie. Collmenter, who originally was going to have his turn in the rotation skipped, is 5-2 with a 2.09 ERA at home this season.
ABOUT THE DIAMONDBACKS (61-50): Miguel Montero has reached base safely in 14 consecutive games, collecting 13 hits and eight walks during that stretch. Justin Upton went 0-for-3 on Wednesday, ending his hitting streak at 14 contests. Chris Young is just 11-for-48 (.229) lifetime against Billingsley, but has six RBIs and five extra-base hits, including three home runs.
ABOUT THE DODGERS (50-60): Rubby De La Rosa is slated to undergo Tommy John surgery on Tuesday. The procedure, which will be performed in Florida by Dr. James Andrews, was deemed necessary after De La Rosa injured his arm in Sunday's loss to Arizona. Matt Kemp had his 10-game hitting streak halted Wednesday by going 0-for-3. Clayton Kershaw became the first Dodger to win a monthly award since Manny Ramirez in Aug. 2008 when he was named NL Pitcher of the Month on Wednesday. Kershaw went 4-1 with a 2.02 ERA in four July starts.
FINAL PITCH: "It gives these other guys a day (off) as well. We've asked a lot of them, so we're just kind of looking out the rest of the month and the season. It just can't hurt." - Arizona manager Kirk Gibson on reversing his decision to skip Collmenter in order to provide extra rest for his rotation.