Dan Haren, Dodgers go for series win

KANSAS CITY - The Dodgers will try close out another series win as Dan Haren takes the mound against Royals starter James Shields on Wednesday night.  The Dodgers are undefeated in their last five series, winning four and splitting the other one.

Haren and Shields are two of the eight active starting pitchers that have made 260 or more starts since 2006.  Shields and Justin Verlander are the only two of those eight that have not pitched against the Dodgers.

Adrian Gonzalez and Hanley Ramirez are the two Dodgers with more than three plate appearances against Shields.  Don Mattingly said after Tuesday night's game that Ramirez remains day-to-day with shoulder irritation.  Gonzalez has a .901 OPS in 26 plate appearances against Shields.

Haren has allowed at least one home run in eight straight starts.  Haren has five or fewer strikeouts in 11 of his 15 starts.

Haren may have met his match in those outcomes as Kansas City is last in the Majors in walks, strikeouts and home runs.

Since June 8th, the Dodgers have gained six and half games that have cut the Giants division lead to three games.

Game info

Time: 5:10 p.m. PT

TV: SportsNet LA