Preview: Clayton Kershaw Starts Opener Of Dodgers’ 10-Game Homestand

The Los Angeles Dodgers return home Monday night after a 10-game road trip where they went 7-3, improving their record to 82-60. They enter their series opener against the Colorado Rockies with a 7.5-game lead over the San Francisco Giants in the National League West.

With just 20 games left in the season, the magic number for the Dodgers to clinch the NL West is now down to 13. Clayton Kershaw takes the mound for the first-place Dodgers and looks to win his 10th consecutive decision.

The reigning National League MVP and Cy Young award winner’s last loss dates back to June 27 against the Miami Marlins when he allowed just one earned run over seven innings. Kershaw leads the Majors in strikeouts, innings pitched, and is second in WHIP behind teammate Zack Greinke.

Monday marks the four time this season Kershaw faces the Rockies. He’s 3-0 against Colorado on the year, with a 3.91 ERA and 1.26 WHIP. He last saw them June 1 at Coors Field, which was a seven-inning effort where he allowed two runs on five hits and had seven strikeouts.

Colorado counters with 23-year-old Jon Gray. The third overall pick in the 2013 draft is still searching for his first career win. In seven starts, the right-hander has a 5.17 ERA, 3.40 FIP and 1.53 WHIP in 31 innings pitched.

In his last start, Gray pitched five solid innings allowing just two hits while striking out six. The Rockies have lost six of the seven games in which he has started. Although the Dodgers are sitting Carl Crawford out of precaution, Gray will face a lineup that features plenty of left-handed batters.

Scott Schebler starts in left field with Joc Pederson in center, and Andre Ethier in right field. Yasmani Grandal is behind the plate and looking to break out of a slump as he’s hitless in his last 36 at-bats.

After sitting out Sunday, Chase Utley, with a nine-game hitting-streak, returns to the lineup. During the streak Utley has had four multi-hit games.

Dodgers Lineup:

CF: Joc Pederson

2B: Chase Utley

1B: Adrian Gonzalez

3B: Justin Turner

RF: Andre Ethier

SS: Corey Seager

C: Yasmani Grandal

LF: Scott Schebler

P: Clayton Kershaw

Rockies Lineup:

SS: Jose Reyes

2B: DJ LeMahieu

3B: Nolan Arenado

RF: Carlos Gonzalez

1B: Wilin Rosario

LF: Corey Dickerson

C: Tom Murphy

CF: Brandon Barnes

P: Jon Gray