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Dodgers look to hold NL West lead vs. Padres

Sep 23, 2008 - 1:43 PM San Diego (61-95) at LA Dodgers (81-75) 10:10 p.m. EDT

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- With six games remaining in the regular season, the National League West Division title is there for the taking for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Los Angeles holds a two game advantage over the Arizona Diamondbacks (79-77) and their magic number is at five as they open a series with the San Diego Padres on Tuesday.

The lead, which was 4 1/2 games on September 16, has shrunk to a mere two over the last week. The Dodgers have posted a 2-3 record in their last five games, while the Diamondbacks have won seven of eight in their pursuit of the division crown.

Los Angeles sends Chad Billingsley (15-10, 3.22) to the mound in search of his 10th home win. The 24-year-old is 9-4 at Dodger Stadium with a 3.04 ERA, including a 5-1 mark and a 1.67 ERA in his last six home starts.

The righthander has won three consecutive decisions and six of seven overall, but lasted only 4 2/3 innings during his last start against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Billingsley allowed seven runs - six earned - on eight hits and a pair of walks while striking out five.

Wade LeBlanc (1-1, 5.63) will be making his fourth career start for the Padres, third against the Dodgers. The 24-year-old struggled through four innings in his first career start, allowing five runs and eight hits in Los Angeles on September 3.

The lefthander bounced back on September 9 with a solid six-inning performance. LeBlanc surrendered just one run, five hits and two walks, but did not earn a decision in the Padres 6-2 loss.

He earned his first win in his last start, allowing four runs and seven hits over six frames in a 11-5 victory over the Colorado Rockies.

LeBlanc has the unenviable task of trying to cool off the Dodgers' Manny Ramirez, who is batting .399 with 16 home runs and 49 RBI in 48 games since being acquired from the Boston Red Sox.