Preview: Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers Look For Series Split

Following Wednesday night’s 4-1 victory, the Los Angeles Dodgers look for a split in the series finale against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Thursday afternoon’s matinee marks the end of a 10-game home stand in which the club has gone 4-5.

On the mound for the Dodgers is Clayton Kershaw. The reigning National League MVP and Cy Young award winner has a record of 14-7. The Diamondbacks will counter with Patrick Corbin who is 6-4 on the year.

For Kershaw he will look to reduce the Dodgers magic number to clinch the division, which sits at five. The left-hander last pitched against the Diamondbacks in the first week of the season. In that game, the 27-year old struggled against the divisional opponent, allowing five runs on 10 hits in just 6.1 innings.

The Major League’s strikeout leader is third in the league with an ERA of 2.18, second with a 0.90 WHIP, as well as second in innings pitched. In 10 career starts at home against the Diamondbacks, Kershaw holds a 5-1 record with a 1.47 ERA.

The Diamondbacks will counter with Patrick Corbin. In his lone start against the Dodgers this year, Corbin pitched six innings giving up eight hits and two earned runs. However, the second-year player has pitched well as of late. He has posted five consecutive quality starts. In those games, the 26-year old has accumulated a 1.44 ERA and 0.989 WHIP.

It comes to no surprise to see Chris Heisey starting for the Dodgers. In four career at-bats against Corbin, the outfielder has two hits, both long balls.

Justin Turner returns to the lineup after missing the last four games with inflammation and a bone bruise in his left knee. The third baseman left Saturday night’s game early and had an MRI earlier this week that showed tendinitis in his knee. In eight career at-bats against Corbin, Turner has five hits, good for a .625 batting average.

The Dodgers could reduce their magic number to four games with a victory. The San Francisco Giants also play tonight against the San Diego Padres, meaning with a best-case scenario the Dodgers could head to Colorado with a magic number of four.

Dodgers Lineup:

LF: Justin Ruggiano

SS: Jimmy Rollins

3B: Justin Turner

2B: Howie Kendrick

1B: Scott Van Slyke

C: A.J. Ellis

CF: Chris Heisey

RF: Scott Schebler

P: Clayton Kershaw

Diamondbacks Lineup:

RF: Ender Inciarte

2B: Aaron Hill

CF: A.J. Pollock

1B: Paul Goldschmidt

C: Welington Castillo

LF: Yasmany Tomas

3B: Brandon Drury

SS: Chris Owings

P: Patrick Corbin