The Los Angeles Dodgers look for their second straight win over the Chicago Cubs on Saturday night, and they have a pitching matchup tilted in their favor. Clayton Kershaw , who shut out the Giants in San Francisco last Sunday, looks for his eighth win of the season.
Kershaw allowed eight runs in St. Louis on July 24, but in three of his last four starts he has allowed one run or less.
The Dodgers won the series opener Friday night behind a great starting pitching performance from Chad Billingsley, who allowed one run in seven innings, and A.J. Ellis, who hit two home runs for the first time in his career.
Chris Volstad, who starts for the Cubs on Saturday, last won a game on July 10.
In 2011.
Since then, Volstad has made 20 starts at the major league level, mixed in between three separate demotions to Triple A Iowa. The Cubs have lost 17 of those 20 games, and Volstad during that span is 0-12 with a 5.68 ERA. This season has been even worse, with nine starts, seven losses, and a 7.94 ERA.
Volstad has one quality start this season, and that came on April 14 when one of his four runs allowed in six innings was unearned.
The Dodgers and Cubs have split four games so far this season.
For more on the Dodgers, check out True Blue LA. For all the latest on the Cubs, be sure to read than Bleed Cubbie Blue and SB Nation Chicago.
