Chicago @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 13, 2019 ) Chi. Cubs 3, LA Dodgers 7

Kyle Hendricks attempts to win his fourth straight start and seventh consecutive decision as the Chicago Cubs visit the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday in the second contest of a four-game series. The right-hander has allowed one run or fewer in five of his past eight starts since losing to the Arizona Diamondbacks on April 26.

Hendricks was struggling with a 1-4 record and 5.33 ERA through five starts before impressively turning his season around. He will look to help Chicago rebound from a 7-3 setback in the series opener, the club's third loss in the past four games. Los Angeles slugger Cody Bellinger hit two homers to raise his season to 22 while David Freese and Max Muncy also went deep as the squad totaled 11 hits in the opener. Alex Verdugo reached base three times on two hits and one walk and is 5-for-7 over the past two games after being hitless in 16 at-bats over his previous four appearances.

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, WGN (Chicago), SportsNet LA (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Kyle Hendricks (7-4, 3.00 ERA) vs. Dodgers LH Rich Hill (3-1, 2.50)

Hendricks has struck out 20 against two walks and allowed five runs in 22 innings while winning his last three turns. The 29-year-old has been more successful at home this season and enters this start with a 3-3 mark and 4.89 ERA in six road outings. Hendricks is 2-2 with a 5.16 ERA in four regular-season starts against the Dodgers and has struggled with Justin Turner (3-for-8, one homer, two walks).

Hill has won back-to-back starts and three straight decisions. The 39-year-old tossed seven innings of three-hit shutout ball against the Philadelphia Phillies on June 2 and followed up by allowing two runs and seven hits in five innings against the San Francisco Giants on Saturday. Hill hasn't allowed a run in 6 2/3 regular-season innings (one start, one relief appearance) against the Cubs.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cubs president Theo Epstein said it is possible that OF-2B Ben Zobrist - placed on the restricted list in May because of a contentious divorce - could return to the team later in the season.

2. Los Angeles put SS Corey Seager (hamstring) on the 10-day injured list and activated 1B Matt Beaty (hip) from the IL.

3. Chicago placed RHP Carl Edwards Jr. (back) on the IL and recalled LHP Tim Collins from Triple-A Iowa.

PREDICTION: Cubs 6, Dodgers 4