• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Cubs-Dodgers Preview

Jul 10, 2010 - 6:42 AM By JEFF MEZYDLO STATS Senior Writer

Chicago (38-48) at Los Angeles (47-38), 4:10 p.m. EDT

The Chicago Cubs are helping the Los Angeles Dodgers overcome their recent struggles at Chavez Ravine.

Trying for a third consecutive victory, the Dodgers look to continue their home success over the Cubs on Saturday afternoon.

Los Angeles (48-38) had lost seven of nine at Dodger Stadium prior to winning the first two of its four-game set with Chicago this weekend. Russell Martin hit a three-run homer and Andre Ethier had three hits with two RBIs in the a 9-7 victory Friday.

The Cubs (38-49), who swept Arizona to open a seven-game trip, have lost seven of nine at Dodger Stadium. Chicago has not won a series in Los Angeles since 2006.

The Dodgers are trying for a ninth win in 12 games overall. Los Angeles is tied with Colorado for second place in the NL West, two games behind San Diego.

"We want to play this last week like we have something to prove," manager Joe Torre said.

Batting .322 and slated to start in Tuesday's All-Star Game, Ethier is hitting .378 with five RBIs in his last nine games.

"We knew he was a good hitter," general manager Ned Colletti told the Dodgers' official website. "His work ethic is strong."

James Loney is 4 for 7 with two RBIs in the series and 15 for 30 in his last eight games.

Los Angeles rookie John Ely (4-6, 4.07 ERA) will face the Cubs for the second time Saturday. He allowed a run and four hits in 7 1-3 innings of a 1-0 loss at Wrigley Field on May 27.

Ely has not been nearly as effective over the last month, going 1-4 with a 6.32 ERA in six starts. In the shortest outing of his career, he gave up six runs and nine hits in 2 2-3 innings of a 6-5 loss to Florida on Monday.

The right-hander is 0-3 with a 9.24 ERA in his last three starts at Dodger Stadium.

"I can't make excuses. I've got to be better," Ely said.

The Cubs turn to Tom Gorzelanny (3-5, 3.31) as they try to get back on track.

Despite giving up a season-high six walks, Gorzelanny allowed three runs in five innings of a 9-4 win over the Diamondbacks on Monday for his first victory since May 19.

The left-hander is 1-1 with a 5.16 ERA in four starts against the Dodgers. He was roughed up in his last outing versus Los Angeles, giving up seven runs in five innings of an 8-5 loss May 26.

Despite their latest defeat, the Cubs broke out Friday after scoring 14 runs in their previous eight games at Dodger Stadium. Marlon Byrd, Chicago's lone All-Star, went 4 for 5 with three RBIs.

Batting .319 in his first season with the Cubs, Byrd is 7 for 9 in the series. He is 14 for 28 all-time at Dodger Stadium.