Pittsburgh @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 16, 2011 ) Pittsburgh 2, LA Dodgers 7

THE STORY: It’s been a tale of two seasons for the Pittsburgh Pirates, who are 17-39 since July 20, when they were 51-44 and led the National League Central by a half-game. The Pirates continue their four-game series against the host Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday with both teams looking to finish the season on a high note. The Dodgers have won four of the six games between the teams this season.

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, Root Sports, Prime Ticket

PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH James McDonald (9-8, 4.09 ERA) vs. Dodgers LH Ted Lilly (9-14, 4.39 ERA).

McDonald ended a streak of four straight quality starts last Sunday against the Marlins when he gave up four runs over 4 2/3 innings. McDonald has a 3.58 ERA in his 11 starts since the All-Star break, and he’s making his first start against his former team. Lilly, who allowed three runs over 5 1/3 innings last Monday against the Diamondbacks, has failed to complete at least six innings in three consecutive starts. The Dodgers are 1-6 in Lilly’s last seven starts against teams from the National League Central.

ABOUT THE PIRATES (68-83): Outfielder Jose Tabata was ruled out for the rest of the season Friday in order to let a broken bone in his left hand heal properly. Tabata, who suffered the injury during batting practice on Aug. 24, signed a six-year contract with the Pirates last month. He batted .266 with four home runs, 21 RBIs and 16 steals in 334 at-bats this season. Tabata’s injury problems this season created an opening for rookie Alex Presley, who hit his third home run on Friday. Presley forced his way into the team’s 2012 plans while batting .309 with eight steals in 173 at-bats since being promoted from the minors. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle would like to have Derrek Lee back as the team’s starting first baseman. Lee is 18-for-49 (.367) since coming off the disabled list, but he’ll be a free agent at the end of the season and may want to play closer to his Sacramento home.

ABOUT THE DODGERS (74-76): It turns out Jonathan Broxton will need surgery after all. The Dodger closer, who has been dealing with right elbow problems all season, will have arthroscopic surgery on his elbow Monday. The surgery is considered minor and Broxton should be able to begin throwing in six weeks. Broxton pitched only 12 2/3 innings this season, and he’ll be a free agent during the offseason. Given the emergence of Javy Guerra and Kenley Jansen, it’s unlikely Broxton will return to the Dodgers next year. Tony Gwynn Jr. is waiting for the results of an MRI that was done Friday on his left shoulder. He’s missed the last two games while dealing with the soreness and he’s already been ruled out for the rest of this weekend’s series. Reliever Shawn Tolleson and first baseman Scott Van Slyke were named the Dodgers’ minor league players of the year on Thursday.

FINAL PITCH: Dodgers rookie shortstop Dee Gordon made his ninth error Friday in his 45th game this season, but he also had two hits, scored two runs and stole his 20th and 21st bases.