Hanley Ramirez back in lineup for series finale

PHOENIX -- The Dodgers get a second chance at clinching the National League West on Thursday afternoon, and their last chance to do so while the Diamondbacks watch. They will have Hanley Ramirez back at shortstop for the series finale against Arizona.

But Adrian Gonzalez will get the day off at first base, as the Dodgers go with the all right-handed lineup against the southpaw Wade Miley. Jerry Hairston gets the start at first base on Thursday, batting second. Hairston is 4-for-10 against Miley in his career, but he is also 3-for-32 in the last 30 days.

Ramirez reached base four times on Tuesday night after missing four games with an irritated nerve in his back, but was given Wednesday off as part of a plan to rest Ramirez liberally in the final week and a half of the regular season, in preparation for the playoffs.

"Whatever we have to do to get him right," manager Don Mattingly said on Wednesday. "It's going to be a matter of keeping him sharp but getting plenty of rest."

Despite Thursday marking just the 81st game played by Ramirez this season, he is second on the team in home runs (18) and RBI (53), and is third in runs scored (60). He is hitting .343/.397/.633.

Thursday marks the 11th game this season that Ramirez, Matt Kemp and Yasiel Puig are in the same lineup. The Dodgers are 8-2 in those games and have averaged 6.8 runs per game, including nine runs in a win on Tuesday night.

Game info

Time: 12:40 p.m.

TV: Prime Ticket

MLB Gameday