The Los Angeles Dodgers look to put their weekend series loss behind them as they host the Chicago Cubs Monday night in the opener of a three-game series at Dodger Stadium. Clayton Kershaw starts for the Dodgers, while fill-in starter James Russell takes the hill for the Cubs. These two teams faced off at Wrigley Field on April 22-24, with the Dodgers winning two of three games.
Andre Ethier will look to extend his hitting streak, currently at 27 games, against the left-handed Russell. At 27 games, Ethier is tied with Ducky Medwick (1942) and Duke Snider (1953) for the third-longest hitting streak in Dodgers' history. The top streak 31 games, set by the late Willie Davis in 1969.
The offense for the Dodgers didn't have much of a weekend against the Padres, scoring just five runs in three games. The Dodgers lost two of three to the Padres, and they were a great catch from Tony Gwynn Jr. away from possibly getting swept. Kershaw has relatively struggled in his last three starts, allowing 12 runs in 18 2/3 innings. He hasn't picked up a win since April 11.
Russell, who was a relief pitcher last year and the beginning of this season, is making his fourth career start. He is 0-3 with a 11.12 ERA in his first three starts. He has faced the Dodgers four times in relief in his career, allowing one run and two hits in 5 2/3 innings. Russell has not lasted longer than four innings in any of his starts.
Tonight's 7:10 p.m. PDT game will be televised by Prime Ticket. For more news and information on the Dodgers, or on tonight's game, be sure to read the SB Nation blog True Blue LA.