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Dodgers-Cubs Preview

May 24, 2010 - 8:53 PM By KATE HEDLIN STATS Writer

Los Angeles (25-19) at Chicago (21-24), 8:05 p.m. EDT

After beginning the month with the shortest start of his career, Clayton Kershaw has been a big reason why the Los Angeles Dodgers have moved back into contention in the NL West.

Kershaw looks to win a career-high fourth straight start when the Dodgers visit the Chicago Cubs for a three-game series beginning Tuesday night.

Since giving up seven runs in 1 1-3 innings of an 11-6 loss to the Brewers on May 4, Kershaw (4-2, 3.23 ERA) has posted a 0.81 ERA over three starts.

The left-hander allowed one run and struck out seven in 7 1-3 innings to earn a 4-1 win over San Diego on Thursday.

"He's maturing," Padres manager Bud Black said. "Experience has been a great teacher for him. His pitches are in and around the zone a little more consistently, and he has good stuff. It's not surprising. The guy's got a lot of talent, and it's starting to show."

Kershaw, who has never faced the Cubs (21-24), has posted his three most recent wins during the Dodgers' 12-2 stretch. Los Angeles (25-19) is one game behind San Diego for first place in the NL West after beginning the month in last.

The Dodgers took two of three from Detroit last weekend.

"You're pretty comfortable with the way we're playing," manager Joe Torre told the Dodgers' official website.

Hiroki Kuroda gave up three runs in the first inning Sunday as Los Angeles went on to lose 6-2. The Dodgers stranded eight and grounded into three double plays.

Los Angeles will try to avoid losing back-to-back games for the first time since May 4 and 5 as it begins a six-game road trip. The Dodgers are looking to win seven straight away from home for the first time since a nine-game run July 3-26, 2004.

The Cubs return home after a 3-2 trip. They won two of three against Texas this weekend and have gone 6-2 in their last eight.

Chicago defeated the Rangers 5-4 on Sunday, with Alfonso Soriano hitting a two-run homer during a four-run first - the 299th home run of his career - and Carlos Silva pitching 5 1-3 innings to improve to 6-0.

Soriano was 6 for 16 with two doubles, two home runs and four RBIs during the trip.

"There's a lot of good things we saw on this road trip," manager Lou Piniella said. "Let's see if we can carry it through."

The Cubs, looking to win a season-high fourth in a row at home, will hand the ball to Ryan Dempster (2-4, 3.73) with the hope that he can snap a five-game winless streak.

Chicago dropped all five of those starts, with Dempster going 0-4 with a 4.63 ERA. The right-hander, though, is 6-2 with a 2.25 ERA versus the Dodgers as a starter, winning his last six decisions against them. He has also faced them 10 times in relief.

Third baseman Aramis Ramirez, batting .160, is expected to get the series off to rest a bruised thumb and work on his swing.