SoCal MLB Preview

LA Dodgers (19-19) at Milwaukee (20-19), 5:05 pm
MILWAUKEE (Ticker) - Ryan Braun looks to power the Milwaukee Brewers to their fourth consecutive win on Wednesday when the Los Angeles Dodgers visit. In the three-game series opener Tuesday, Braun drove in a pair of runs and Eric Gagne returned to his role as closer to lead Milwaukee to a 5-3 win. The reigning National League Rookie of the Year has four homers and six RBI during the winning streak. He has also five straight multi-hit games. "Any pitch I'm getting that I should hit, I'm hitting," Braun said. "Everybody contributed tonight but, personally, I'm seeing the ball well right now." Rookie Manny Parra (1-2, 5.79 ERA) goes to the hill for the Brewers in search of his first victory since beating San Francisco on April 5 in his season debut. Last time out, the lefthander gave up three runs and three hits in five innings but did not figure in the decision as the club picked up a 4-3 win against the St. Louis Cardinals. The Dodgers counter with Derek Lowe (2-3, 4.43), who has made it out of the fifth inning just once in his last four outings. The 6-6 righthander owns a 2-1 record with a 3.41 ERA in six career appearances against the Brewers.

Chi White Sox (18-20) at La Angels (24-17), 7:05 pm
ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) - John Lackey will make his first start of the season Wednesday when the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim host the Chicago White Sox in the third contest of a four-game series. Lackey has been on the disabled list with an injured triceps muscle since the beginning of the season. The righthander was the staff ace last year, going 19-9 with a 3.01 ERA and 179 strikeouts. The 29-year-old Lackey will try to repeat the impressive outing from Jered Weaver, who allowed just one hit and two walks with six strikeouts over seven innings during Tuesday's 2-0 victory over the White Sox. The Angels are looking for their third straight win and have climbed to the top of the American League West Division, one-half game clear of the Oakland Athletics (23-17). Jose Contreras (3-3, 3.66) will take the hill for the White Sox, who are on a three-game losing skid. The 36-year-old Cuban tossed seven innings, allowing a run and six hits with two walks and four strikeouts in a 4-2 triumph over the Seattle Mariners on Friday.