Arizona @ Los Angeles preview
Dodger Stadium
Last Meeting ( Sep 13, 2011 ) Arizona 5, LA Dodgers 4
THE STORY: All eyes will be on Gerardo Parra when the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks conclude a three-game series with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday. Parra has five hits and five RBIs in the first two contests of the series, and he became the center of attention Tuesday after admiring his long home run off Hong-Chih Kuo in the seventh inning. Arizona has won 18 of its last 20 games, while the Dodgers have lost three straight.
TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Arizona, Prime Ticket
PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks RH Daniel Hudson (16-9, 3.41 ERA) vs. Dodgers LH Clayton Kershaw (18-5, 2.36 ERA)
Hudson tossed his third complete game of the season and gave up two runs – one earned - against the San Diego Padres last Friday. He is 2-0 with a 1.53 ERA in two career starts against the Dodgers, and the Diamondbacks are 4-0 in his last four Wednesday starts. Kershaw, who gave up one unearned run over eight innings last Friday against the Giants, has allowed two earned runs or fewer in 11 of his last 12 starts, going 9-1 during that span. He is 5-2 with a 2.35 ERA in nine career starts against Arizona.
ABOUT THE DIAMONDBACKS (87-62): If Arizona carries 11 pitchers during the postseason, as expected, the team may need to leave a few quality arms off the roster. Ryan Cook, Zach Duke, Alberto Castillo, Sam Demel and Wade Miley have all pitched well at times this season, but they could all be competing for one roster spot. Cook has made three straight scoreless outings since being recalled from Triple-A Reno on Sept. 1, and he could have the edge if Arizona is looking for a strikeout pitcher. Relievers J.J. Putz, David Hernandez, Joe Paterson, Brad Ziegler, Bryan Shaw and Micah Owings are considered virtual locks to make the playoff roster. Veteran Lyle Overbay has nine RBIs since joining the team on Aug. 13, and he’s proven to be a solid backup to rookie Paul Goldschmidt at first base. After briefly considering retirement, Overbay said he’s open to returning in the same role next season.
ABOUT THE DODGERS (72-75): Closer Jonathan Broxton will not return this season, and there’s a good chance his tenure with the Dodgers is over. Broxton, who hasn’t pitched since May 3 because of a bruised elbow, has 84 saves over his six-plus seasons with the Dodgers. He becomes a free agent at the end of the season, and the Dodgers are unlikely to be interested with the emergence of Javy Guerra, Josh Lindblom and Kenley Jansen this year. Rookie Nathan Eovaldi made his first career relief appearance Monday and retired the side in order in the ninth inning. Eovaldi will compete for a spot in the starting rotation next spring. Left fielder Jerry Sands, who is hoping a strong finish helps his bid to start for the Dodgers next year, went 2-for-2 with a double and two walks Tuesday.
FINAL PITCH: Dodgers communications vice president Josh Rawitch announced this week that he is leaving the team after this season to become senior vice president of communications for the Diamondbacks.