Dodgers @ Diamondbacks

Who will WIN this matchup?

Los Angeles Dodgers (41-19)

@ Arizona Diamondbacks (30-30)

Starting Pitchers:

Buehler (LAD): 5-1; 4.03 ERA

Ray (ARI) 4-2; 3.59 ERA

Last 10 Games Played:

Los Angeles Dodgers: 8-2

Arizona Diamondbacks: 6-4

Current odds:

Los Angeles Dodgers: (-140)

Arizona Diamondbacks: (+130)

• The Los Angeles Dodgers have won five in a row and nine of their last 10 to strengthen their commanding lead in the National League West. The Dodgers will begin an extended look at their division rivals on Monday as they start a stretch of 26 of their next 32 contests against NL West foes with the opener of a three-game series against the host Arizona Diamondbacks. David Freese went deep for the second straight outing on Sunday to snap a scoreless contest in the seventh inning and propel Los Angeles on its way to a sweep of NL East-leading Philadelphia, courtesy of an emphatic 8-0 victory. The 2011 World Series Most Valuable Player is 11-for-21 with three homers, seven RBIs and nine runs scored during his eight-game hitting streak and 4-for-13 in his career versus Monday starter Robbie Ray.

• The Dodgers matched their season high for runs in an inning when they erupted for seven in the eighth on Sunday, matching its total in the eighth of an 18-5 romp over Arizona on March 30. Ketel Marte, who carries a 10-game hitting streak into the series opener, belted a mammoth 482-foot homer and added a two-run single on Sunday as the Diamondbacks won their second straight with a 7-1 victory over the New York Mets.

• Buehler answered four consecutive quality starts with a tough outing on Wednesday, allowing five runs on seven hits – including two homers – over five innings in a no-decision against the Mets. The 24-year-old struggled in his last encounter with Arizona, permitting five runs on as many hits in three innings of a no-decision on March 31. Marte had a two-run single in the fourth inning in that game against Buehler, who owns a sparkling 3-1 mark with a 3.94 ERA in six starts on the road this season.

• Ray tasted defeat for the first time since April 3 on Wednesday after allowing a season high-tying five runs on eight hits over 4 2/3 innings of a 5-4 setback at Colorado. The 27-year-old walked four batters in that contest, one fewer than the number of free passes he issued in five innings of a no-decision against the Dodgers on March 29. Chris Taylor (8-for-23) has fared well against Ray, who owns a 2-0 mark with a 3.32 ERA in four starts at home while limiting the opposition to a .216 batting average.

• Arizona OF David Peralta (shoulder) could be activated for the series opener after receiving nine plate appearances in extended spring training on Saturday.

• Dodgers LF Joc Pederson went 7-for-15 with three homers, five RBIs and eight runs scored to help his team win three of four meetings with the Diamondbacks from March 28-31.

• Arizona 3B Eduardo Escobar has seven multi-hit performances in his last 11 games.