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Dodgers, Diamonbacks square off for first place

Jul 31, 2008 - 10:20 AM Arizona (55-52) at LA Dodgers (54-53) 10:10 p.m. EDT

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- The Los Angeles Dodgers have a chance to pull even atop the National League West Division on Thursday when they open a crucial four-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The Dodgers managed to get back above .500 for the first time since May 27 on Wednesday, claiming a 4-0 victory against the San Francisco Giants as Chad Billingsley earned his first career shutout. The win was the ninth in the last 13 games for Los Angeles, which has held opponents scoreless in four of five contests.

The Dodgers have a good chance of continuing their success against the Diamondbacks, who own one of the worst offenses in baseball. Despite holding a one-game lead in the NL West, Arizona ranks near the bottom of the NL in a number of offensive categories, including batting average (13th), home runs (12th) and runs (ninth).

But, the Diamondbacks have won five of their last six, outscoring the opposition 37-18 over that span. Staff ace Brandon Webb looks to keep Arizona atop the division.

Webb (14-4, 3.14 ERA), who is tied with three others for the major league-lead in wins, earned his third straight victory on Saturday. The 2006 NL Cy Young Award winner surrendered three runs and four hits in seven innings, walking two and striking out eight en route to a 5-3 victory over the Giants.

Derek Lowe (8-8, 3.74) goes for his fourth consecutive win for the Dodgers. Lowe enters the game after his best start, eight scoreless innings, yielding one hit and one walk while striking out four during Saturday's 6-0 victory against the Washington Nationals.