D’Backs vs. Dodgers Series Preview

May 5, 2013; San Diego, CA, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Didi Gregorius (1) turns a double play ahead of the slide by San Diego Padres right fielder Will Venable (25) during the fourth inning at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

The Dodgers (13-17) are streaking in a bad way, and have now lost four straight games. They were just swept by the San Francisco Giants in a series that concluded on Sunday. The Dodgers have not started off the season well, and it appeared they were getting healthy when Hanley Ramirez returned. Then, he injured his hamstring while running the bases in his fourth game this season, and is now on the D.L.

The D’Backs (16-15) did not have a good series against the San Diego Padres, and have now lost five of their past six games. The offense was inconsistent once again, and they struggled to produce when they had runners in scoring position. The bright spots for the offense is that A.J. Pollock continues to impress and Didi Gregorius has provided a spark that the offense has desperately needed.

This is second series of the season between D’Backs and Dodgers. Arizona is 2-1 against them this season, and went 12-6 in the 2012 season.

Game 1 (Monday): Trevor Cahill (1-3, 2.84 ERA) vs. Chris Capuano (0-1, 9.64 ERA)

Trevor Cahill has been pitching better, especially in his last two starts against the opposition. The reason that Cahill has looked like a completely different pitcher is the command of his sinker. Another reason he has pitched well is that, he cut down on his walks, and trusting in his abilities as a pitcher.

Chris Capuano will be making first start since going on the D.L., and the Dodgers need him to pitch well in this start. They have suffered too many injuries to their starting rotation, and need him to perform well while other members of the rotation get healthy.

Game 2 (Tuesday): Brandon McCarthy (0-3, 7.22 ERA) vs. Josh Beckett (0-4, 5.24 ERA)

Brandon McCarthy pitched well in last start against the Giants, but the bullpen threw away any chance he had at earning his first victory this season. McCarthy is allowing too many hits to the opposition, and also his pitches are catching too much of the strike zone. McCarthy has made one career start against the Dodgers, and pitched well by throwing seven scoreless innings.

Josh Beckett is also looking for his first victory of the season, but his issue has been with giving up too many HR’s this season. He has also struggled, when there have been men on base. The positive for him is that he pitched very well the last time he faced Arizona.

Game 3 (Wednesday): Wade Miley (2-1, 3.06 ERA) vs. Clayton Kershaw (3-2, 1.66 ERA)

Wade Miley seems to going through a rough patch with his command, but I am confident he will return to how he pitched in the beginning of the season. The main problem for him through this stretch is that he is not locating his fastball, and he also is using his slider less.

Clayton Kershaw is pitching the best baseball of his career, and he has to with the injuries to the Dodgers rotation. The reason for his recent success is that he is using his curveball more often to the opposition. The struggles that the Diamondbacks have had on offense, could lead to him having a huge game for the Dodgers.