Los Angeles @ Arizona preview
Chase Field
Last Meeting ( Sep 14, 2011 ) Arizona 2, LA Dodgers 3
THE STORY: The Arizona Diamondbacks have clinched the National League West, but the race for home-field advantage in the first round of the playoffs continues Monday when they face the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers. The Diamondbacks are one game behind the Milwaukee Brewers, while the Dodgers have won nine of their last 10 series.
TV: 9:40 p.m. ET, Prime Ticket, Fox Sports Arizona
PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers LH Dana Eveland (2-2, 3.75 ERA) at Diamondbacks RH Daniel Hudson (16-11, 3.43 ERA).
After giving up just one earned run in his first two starts with the Dodgers, Eveland has struggled in his last two outings. He’s given up nine runs over his last two starts and failed to get past the fifth inning in each outing. Hudson is 2-1 with a 1.82 ERA in three career starts against the Dodgers. He gave up three runs over five innings last Tuesday versus the Pittsburgh Pirates, ending a streak of seven straight games where he pitched at least six innings.
ABOUT THE DODGERS (80-78): Hiroki Kuroda’s status for next year is a great mystery, especially to him. He’s made it clear that he’s interested in pitching next season, but it is anyone’s guess where he’ll end up. The Japanese media is speculating that he’ll return to Japan to pitch for Hiroshima next year, but Kuroda said this week that nothing has been decided. The Dodgers figure to be interested in bringing back Kuroda, who will be a free agent at the end of the season. Kuroda is 13-16 with a 3.17 ERA, but his 16 losses lead the league. He’ll earn a $200,000 incentive if he pitches at least four innings in his final start of the season on Tuesday. Outfielder Jerry Sands extended his hitting streak to a career-high 13 games Sunday with a single in the second inning, but rookie Dee Gordon went 0-for-5 to snap his 11-game hitting streak.
ABOUT THE DIAMONDBACKS (93-66): Jarrod Parker is scheduled to make his major league debut Tuesday when he starts against the Dodgers. Parker had a 3.79 ERA in 130 2/3 innings over 26 starts with Double-A Mobile this season in his first year back from Tommy John surgery. Parker won’t be on the Diamondbacks’ postseason roster, but the team wanted to give its regular starters an extra day of rest heading into the playoffs. After a slow start this season, Parker had an impressive second half and could compete for a rotation spot next season. This year’s top draft pick, Trevor Bauer, could also be in the mix. It’s more likely he’ll start next year in the minors, however. Ian Kennedy earned his league-leading 21st win Saturday in his final regular-season start. Kennedy, who will likely start Game 1 in the division series, gave up two runs over six innings and threw 86 pitches.
FINAL PITCH: The Diamondbacks’ Justin Upton left Sunday’s game after being hit on the helmet by Tim Lincecum. Tests were negative and he’s listed as day-to-day.