Phillies @ Dodgers

Who will WIN this matchup?

Philadelphia Phillies (33-23)

@ Los Angeles Dodgers (38-19)

Starting Pitchers:

Irvin (PHI): 2-1; 5.60 ERA

Kershaw (LAD) 5-0; 3.42 ERA

Last 10 Games Played:

Philadelphia Phillies: 5-5

Los Angeles Dodgers: 8-2

Current odds:

Philadelphia Phillies: (+180)

Los Angeles Dodgers: (-200)

• The Los Angeles Dodgers flexed their muscles in the series opener and will try to make it two straight over the visiting Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday in a battle of first-place teams. Los Angeles, which leads baseball with 39 victories and has won 11 of its last 15 games against Philadelphia at Chavez Ravine, belted four homers in Friday’s 6-3 triumph – its third straight and seven in the last eight contests. The Dodgers’ Joc Pederson has been overshadowed by the exploits of teammate Cody Bellinger (major league-best .379 average to go with 20 home runs), but has gone deep in consecutive games – giving him 17 this season – and is 13-for-25 with three home runs and six RBIs in his last seven contests. Los Angeles third baseman Justin Turner has missed the last two games with a hamstring issue and remains day-to-day but Max Muncy belted his 12th home run of the season Friday – a two-run shot – while handling the hot corner.

• Philadelphia (33-24) began its six-game road trip to southern California after winning nine of its last 13 games but lost its second straight contest despite Andrew McCutcheon homering for the second time in three games, giving him eight runs in the last four contests. The Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw on Saturday puts his undefeated record on the line while opposing rookie Cole Irvin, who is expected to get the call after Philadelphia placed scheduled starter Zach Eflin on the 10-day disabled list Friday with back tightness.

• Irvin was called up from Triple-A Lehigh Valley, where he was 2-0 with a 2.08 ERA in seven games, and had his last start cut to three innings Wednesday when it was determined he would replace Eflin on the roster. It would mark Irvin’s fourth career start with his last an 8-4 loss to the Cubs in Chicago on May 22 when he allowed seven runs, seven hits (two home runs) and three walks in 4 2/3 innings. The 25-year-old Californian won at Kansas City 6-1 on May 12 and defeated Colorado 5-4 on May 17, allowing a combined five runs (four earned) in 13 innings.

• Kershaw permitted three runs and a season-high 10 hits with five strikeouts in six innings of a 9-5 victory over the New York Mets on Monday. The 31-year-old Texan has recorded quality starts in seven of his eight turns this season while posting a 1.08 WHIP and 49 strikeouts against nine walks. Philadelphia’s Bryce Harper is 2-for-21 with 13 strikeouts against Kershaw, who is 3-5 with a 3.07 ERA in 13 starts against the Phillies – the only National League team that has a winning record against him.

• Los Angeles leads baseball with a 23-7 home record.

• Harper (.248) went 0-for-4 on Friday after going 8-for-12 with a homer, seven RBIs and five doubles in the previous three games.

• The Dodgers have a NL-best run differential of (plus-85) with the next-best club (Chicago) at plus-50.