D’Backs vs. Dodgers Series Preview

June 5, 2013; St. Louis, MO, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Wade Miley (36) throws to a St. Louis Cardinals batter during the third inning at Busch Stadium. Image Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Dodgers just split a four-games series against the Atlanta Braves this past weekend, and they were very fortunate that they did not get swept in that series. The Dodgers only managed to score a total of nine runs in the series.

This is a problem they have had for most of the season, with only scoring 217 runs through 62 games this season. That was one of the reasons they were forced to call up their best hitting prospect in Yasiel Puig.

Puig had first week to remember, as indicated by his .464/.483/1.447 triple-slash to go along with four homers and 10 RBIs.

Arizona just lost two of three games to the San Francisco Giants this weekend and the offense once again struggled to score runs. They were very lucky that the Giants did not sweep the series.

They will now start a series against the Dodgers that begins on Monday. They are 5-1 against them this season.

Game 1 (Monday): Wade Miley (4-5, 4.92 ERA) vs. Clayton Kershaw (5-4, 1.93 ERA)

Miley pitched better in his last start against the St. Louis Cardinals, the key for him to have success is just pitch and try not to think about anything else. Another reason he pitched well is that he located his fastball and off-speed pitches.

Kershaw needed 120 pitches to pitch six innings in his last start, and this was his shortest outing since going five innings on April 23. The southpaw has faced Arizona twice this season, striking out 13 in 14 1/3 innings with a 2.51 ERA

Game 2 (Tuesday): Ian Kennedy (3-4, 5.72 ERA) vs Zack Greinke (3-1, 3.89 ERA)

Kennedy will be looking to rebound from the worst start of his career, when he gave up 13 hits and 10 earned runs in just four innings against St.Louis. Kennedy looked out of sync and did not command any of his pitches.

Greinke threw the ball well his last time out, by firing seven scoreless innings to beat the Braves and this was his longest outing of the season. He is 0-3 with a 7.90 ERA in five career starts against the Diamondbacks. Greinke is 3-0 with a 1.99 ERA at home this year

Game 3 ( Wednesday) Patrick Corbin (9-0, 1.98 ERA) vs. Hyun-jin Ryu (6-2, 2.72 ERA)

Corbin held the Giants to just one run in his last start over 7 1/3 innings. Given no run support, the southpaw missed the opportunity to earn his tenth victory of the season. However Arizona did rally in the game to improve to 13-0 when Corbin takes the mound.

Ryu pitched very well in his previous start where he was charged with one run over 7 2/3 innings pitched. In his last two starts, Ryu has 13 strikeouts and one walk. The rookie has a 1.97 ERA at Dodger Stadium.