Dodgers VS. D-Backs Series Preview

September 10, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Trevor Cahill (35) pitches during the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Arizona just took two of three from the Colorado Rockies over the weekend and will now turn their attention to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The D-backs still have some work to do if they hope to make the playoffs.

They trail the Cincinnati Reds by eight games for the final Wild Card spot in National League. The offense will have to continue playing well and also the starting pitching needs to have more quality starts.

This will the sixth time these two teams face each other. So far Arizona is 8-7 against them this season.

Game 1 (Monday): Hyun-jin Ryu (13-6, 3.07 ERA) vs.  Trevor Cahill (6-10, 4.22 ERA)

Ryu was hit hard in his last start against Arizona as he gave up 10 hits, but only allowed three earned runs. He has lost three of his last four starts. The rookie has a 6.55 ERA in two starts at Chase Field this season.

Cahill was decent the last time he faced the Dodgers, but still he walked four batters. This was the third consecutive start that he had walked at least three batters in a game. The one positive is that in the last 17.1 innings pitched, he has only allowed six earned runs.

Game 2 (Tuesday): Zack Greinke (14-3, 2.74 ERA) vs. Patrick Corbin (14-6, 2.92 ERA)

Greinke has looked invincible the last nine times he has started, with his last loss coming on July 25. He has not allowed more than two earned runs during this span with an ERA of 1.58 in those starts.

Corbin finally got back in the win column with his last start and looked his old self. The previous three starts he had allowed 16 runs, but in facing the Dodgers he yielded just one run in 6.1 innings. Arizona is 22-7 when he starts.

Game 3 (Wednesday): Clayton Kershaw (14-9, 1.94 ERA) vs. Brandon McCarthy (4-9, 4.58 ERA)

Kershaw pitched a good game in his last start, but was the victim of poor run support. The Dodgers have lost three of his last four starts, despite him only giving up 10 earned runs in those starts.

McCarthy was very effective in his last outing against the Rockies, despite the 11 hits he surrendered. The last four starts have been good for him, as he’s just allowed more than three earned runs once.

Game 4 (Thursday): Ricky Nolasco (13-10, 3.36 ERA) vs. Wade Miley (10-10. 3.70 ERA)

Nolasco struggled mightily in his last start facing the Giants with him allowing five runs and only pitching 1.1 innings. This was the first time that he had allowed more than three runs in any start since joining the Dodgers’ rotation.

Miley has pitched well in his last four starts with him just giving up a total of 11 earned runs, but has only won once in that period. He joined Randy Johnson as just the second left-hander in franchise history to win double digit games in consecutive seasons.