Dodgers try to salvage a game against Diamondbacks

The Dodgers have swept 16 different series in 2017, including 13 series of three or more games. But if they don’t win the finale against the Diamondbacks on Thursday afternoon, they will be swept for the first time this season.

In the first two games of the series, the formula has been pretty much the same. Arizona jumped on the Dodgers’ starting pitcher in the first inning -- five runs on Tuesday, three runs on Wednesday — and built a big lead. Then, the Dodgers clawed back both nights, only to see late rallies fall just short.

The Dodgers will try to get some early offense in the series finale, but will have to do so against Zack Greinke, whom they have beaten twice this season. Greinke in August has a 4.50 ERA in five starts, with 33 strikeouts and 10 walks in 30 innings.

Kenta Maeda will try to keep the Diamondbacks off the board early, looking to finish off one of the best months of his career. The right-hander has 34 strikeouts and just five walks in August, four shy of his record for strikeouts in a month, set in June 2016. He has a 2.76 ERA this month, including allowing one run in five innings at Chase Field on Aug. 8.

Game info

Time: 12:40 p.m. PT

TV: SportsNet LA