Dodgers vs. Cubs: Rested Ricky Nolasco starts opener at Wrigley

The Dodgers open their eight-game road trip on Tuesday night with a night game against the Cubs at Wrigley Field. Ricky Nolasco makes his fifth start as a Dodger, looking for his first win since his Dodgers debut.

Nolasco won his first game with the Dodgers, on July 9, by allowing one run in seven innings in Arizona. He has failed to reach six innings in any of his last three starts, but he is getting closer. He has recorded 15, 16 and 17 outs, respectively in his last three starts. He beat the Cubs on April 28 in Miami by allowing three runs in seven innings.

The Dodgers arrived at their hotel in Chicago at 5:30 a.m. PT on Thursday. But Nolasco should be well rested since he flew to Chicago ahead of the rest of the team.

Chris Rusin gets the start for the Cubs. The Dodgers are 19-18 in games started by left-handed opponents, and have won five straight games against southpaw starters and eight of their last 10 such games.

Notes

• The Dodgers led the majors in July with a .289 batting average, and led the National League in both on-base percentage (.344) and slugging percentage (.443).
• Mark Ellis has an 11-game hitting streak, hitting .415 (17-for-41) during the streak.
• The Dodgers are 8-0-4 in their last 12 series and have not lost a series since July 14-16 in Pittsburgh
• The last time the Dodgers lost two straight games was June 20-21 in San Diego. Since then they own the best record in MLB at 27-7.

Game info

Time: 5:05 p.m.

TV: Prime Ticket

MLB Gameday