The Dodgers open an unusually late four-game series at Wrigley Field on Thursday night, trying to pick up the pieces after a pair of blowout losses in Colorado. Here is a look at the scheduled pitching matchups for the weekend against the Cubs.
Thursday, 5:05 p.m. PT (SportsNet LA, MLB Network)
The only night game of the series begins with Zack Greinke on the mound. In four starts since his elbow soreness was revealed, Greinke has helped calm fears of the pitching staff thinning even more by putting up a 2.00 ERA with 21 strikeouts and six walks in 27 innings. Greinke is nine strikeouts away from his fourth 200-strikeout season. Tsuyoshi Wada finally made his major league debut in July after spending his first year and a half in MLB recovering from Tommy John surgery. The 33-year-old left-hander allowed two or fewer runs in seven of his first eight starts, including two runs in 5⅔ innings in a no-decision at Dodger Stadium on Aug. 2. But in his last three starts Wada has allowed 11 runs on 17 hits in 13⅔ innings, and has exited in the fourth and fifth innings in his last two outings.
Friday, 11:20 a.m. (SportsNet LA, WGN, MLB Network)
Clayton Kershaw tries to become the first Dodgers pitcher with two 20-win seasons since Claude Osteen (1969, 1972). The southpaw has just one career start at Wrigley Field, when he allowed one unearned run in six innings in a loss in 2010. Old friend Edwin Jackson has a 6.09 ERA on the season, and that includes him beating the Dodgers on Aug. 3 by allowing two runs in six innings. But in his last eight home starts, Jackson is 1-6 with a 9.66 ERA and a 2.009 WHIP
Saturday, 10:05 a.m. (Fox)
Big Fox gets to see Roberto Hernandez, whose longest start in September is 4⅓ innings. He has allowed 12 runs on 16 hits, including six home runs, in 11 innings this month. Felix Doubront had a 6.07 ERA in his time with Boston but after joining the Cubs the left-hander has allowed three runs in three starts, though with all of six strikeouts in 18 innings.
Sunday, 11:20 a.m. (SportsNet LA)
Dan Haren is in line to start the series finale on Monday, but with Carlos Frias allowing 10 hits in 11 batters faced on Wednesday that leaves Monday against the Giants wide open. Look for Haren to possibly be saved to start against the rivals, meaning Sunday in Chicago could be a bullpen game for the Dodgers, with several relievers tossing an inning or two. Jacob Turner has a 6.20 ERA in 103 innings this season, and since he joined the Cubs starting rotation the former Marlins right-hander has allowed 19 runs and 27 hits in 20⅓ innings. Justin Turner, no relation, is 1-for-2 against Jacob.