Arizona @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 12, 2011 ) Arizona 7, LA Dodgers 2

THE STORY: Arizona Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson used three relievers - including closer J.J. Putz – in the ninth inning of Monday’s 7-2 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers, so it’s safe to say the Diamondbacks aren't taking anything for granted. Arizona is tied with Milwaukee in the race for home-field advantage in the first round of the playoffs heading into Tuesday’s game against Los Angeles at Dodger Stadium.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks RH Ian Kennedy (19-4, 2.90 ERA) at Dodgers RH Chad Billingsley (10-10, 4.30 ERA)

Kennedy struck out 11 and gave up just one run over 7 2/3 innings last Thursday against the Padres. He leads the National League in wins and hasn’t issued more than three walks in a start this season. The Diamondbacks are 20-7 in Kennedy’s last 27 starts.

Billingsley, who allowed four runs over 2 1/3 innings last Thursday against the Nationals, hasn’t made a quality start since Aug. 16. He’s 2-3 with a 5.17 ERA in 10 starts since the All-Star break. Billingsley is 10-7 with a 3.57 ERA in 24 career games – 22 starts – against Arizona.

ABOUT THE DIAMONDBACKS (86-62): Justin Upton is making a late bid for the National League MVP award, and his team’s recent surge will only help his campaign. Upton stole his career-high 21st base Sunday after entering as a pinch hitter, and he’s hit four home runs in his last seven games. With his 30th home run Friday, Upton became the third player in franchise history with at least 30 homers and 20 stolen bases. When general manager Kevin Towers traded for reliever Brad Ziegler at the July 31 trade deadline, it made an already solid bullpen that much stronger. Ziegler has a 1.72 ERA in 17 appearances since arriving in Arizona, and he’s allowed only four of 19 inherited runners to score. Catcher Miguel Montero went 0-for-3 Monday to snap his career-high 18-game hitting streak.

ABOUT THE DODGERS (72-74): After struggling in his third straight start Sunday, Hiroki Kuroda said that he's again dealing with a chronic sore neck. Kuroda, who allowed three runs on eight hits in 4 2/3 innings against San Francisco, could be shut down for the season if the pain persists. However, Kuroda is determined to make every start this season, and not just because of the salary incentives. He stands to earn another $375,000 if he throws 17 more innings this season. Los Angeles dropped out of playoff contention weeks ago, but Clayton Kershaw and Matt Kemp remain top contenders for the Cy Young and most valuable player awards, respectively. Kershaw is battling Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee and Ian Kennedy for the Cy Young, while Kemp is in the MVP mix with Upton, Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder. Kershaw and Kemp are looking to become the 19th teammates to win both awards.

FINAL PITCH: The Dodgers began their final homestand of the season on Monday. With 10 games left at Dodger Stadium this year, official attendance is down 8,041 per game, or 18 percent.