SoCal MLB Preview

LA Dodgers (19-18) at Milwaukee (19-19), 5:05 pm EDT MILWAUKEE (Ticker) - The Los Angeles Dodgers will look to contain the red-hot Ryan Braun and end a four-game losing streak when they visit the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday for the opener of a three-game series. The Dodgers have a tough task in front of them, trying to shutdown Braun. The 24-year-old slugger blasted two solo home runs in each of the last two contests, leading the Brewers to back-to-back wins after losing seven of their previous eight games. Braun, who has nine hits over the last four games, is batting .288 with a club-high nine home runs and 27 RBI this season. Brad Penny (5-3, 4.79 ERA) will have the unenviable task of trying to contain Braun as he looks to rebound from his worst start of the season. After winning four straight starts, Penny was roughed up for 10 runs on 10 hits and three walks over just 4 2/3 innings during Wednesday's 12-1 loss to the New York Mets. Seeking its third straight win, Milwaukee will send righthander Carlos Villanueva (1-4, 6.46) to the mound. The 24-year-old Dominican is hoping to pick up his first win since April 4 and snap a four-game losing skid. Villanueva was tagged for seven runs and 10 hits with six strikeouts over five frames in Thursday's 7-2 setback to the Florida Marlins.

Chi White Sox (18-19) at LA Angels (23-17), 7:05 pm EDT ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) - Vladimir Guerrero and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim will host the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday in the second contest of a four-game series. Guerrero hit a three-run home run in the fifth inning Monday to lead the Angels to a 10-7 victory over the White Sox. Guerrero is batting .273 with four blasts and 20 RBI this season. The Angels' Jered Weaver (2-5, 5.59 ERA) tries to avoid his third consecutive loss and fifth defeat in seven starts when he takes the mound. The 25-year-old righthander was tagged for eight runs and 10 hits over 3 1/3 innings Wednesday during a 9-4 loss to the Kansas City Royals. Looking to avoid a third straight loss, Chicago will counter with lefthander John Danks. Danks (3-3, 3.18) avoided a third straight defeat in his last outing, giving up two runs on six hits and two walks with five strikeouts over five frames in a 6-2 triumph over the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday. The White Sox have lost eight of their last 12 games.