SoCal MLB Preview

LA Dodgers (46-49) at Arizona (47-48), 6:40 p.m.

PHOENIX (Ticker) -- National League West supremacy is on the line when the Arizona Diamondbacks host the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday. Despite a sub-.500 record, the Diamondbacks hold a one-game edge over the Dodgers. Arizona owned the best record in the majors after the first month of the season, but has gone 27-40 since. Los Angeles had a golden opportunity to take over the top spot before the All-Star break but lost three of four to the Florida Marlins. The Dodgers hope righthander Hiroki Kuroda (5-6, 3.43 ERA) can pull them even. After tossing 16 scoreless frames in his previous two starts, Kuroda did not receive a decision in Saturday's 5-3 loss to the Marlins. He gave up three runs and seven hits with five strikeouts. Arizona will counter with lefthander Doug Davis (3-4, 3.80). The 32-year-old Davis has one win since May 23, posting a 1-3 record with a 4.14 ERA in nine starts over that stretch.

Boston (57-40) at LA Angels (57-38),7:05 p.m.

ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) -- The Boston Red Sox enter the second half in control of the American League East , but they have plenty of room for improvement ... especially on the road. The defending World Series champions return from the All-Star break on Friday when they open a series against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Boston (57-40) seized a one-half game lead over the struggling Tampa Bay Rays (55-39) on Sunday, forging a 2-1 victory over the Baltimore Orioles. All-Stars J.D. Drew and Dustin Pedroia drove in the runs as the Red Sox improved to 36-11 at home. While Boston has been unstoppable at Fenway Park, it wears a 21-29 away record - the second-worst road mark for a first-place team. Fresh off his All-Star MVP award, Drew will try to help the Red Sox reverse that trend. The 32-year-old right fielder is batting .302 with 17 home runs and 55 RBI and has helped fill the void left by an injured David Ortiz, who is eyeing a July 25 return from a torn tendon sheath in his left wrist. Rookie Clay Buchholz (2-4, 5.70 ERA) makes his second start for the Red Sox after returning to the rotation following a two-month stint in the minors. Buchholz allowed four runs and five hits while walking five last Friday, but did strike out six en route to a 7-3 loss to the Orioles. John Lackey (6-2, 2.46) counters for the Angels, who own a six-game lead in the AL West . After missing the opening month with a strained triceps, Lackey has bounced back by allowing 11 runs over his first nine starts. However, the 29-year-old righthander has surrendered 11 earned runs in his last two starts, including six and 15 hits in just 5 2/3 innings in his previous outing. He did not factor in the decision though as the Angels rallied for an 11-10 victory against the Texas Rangers on July 10.