SoCal MLB Preview

LA Dodgers (49-50) at Colorado (43-58), 6:05 pm

DENVER (Ticker) -- The All-Star break and a trip to Coors Field appear to be just what the Los Angeles Dodgers needed to get their sluggish offense rolling. The Dodgers attempt to continue their offensive resurgence on Tuesday when they continue their three-game set against the Colorado Rockies. Los Angeles entered the All-Star break last Tuesday with 390 runs, the fifth-worst total in the majors. In 46 of its 95 games leading up to the break, the team scored three runs or less, going 8-38 in those outings. The second half of the season is off to a good start, however, as the Dodgers have found some uncharacteristic offense - scoring 32 runs in four contests and going 3-1 over that span. This resurgence was highlighted by a 16-10 triumph over the Rockies in Monday's series opener at Coors Field, where the Dodgers have scored 41 runs in four games this season. The Dodgers will try to climb back to the .500 mark for the first time since they were 27-27 on May 30 when they send rookie Clayton Kershaw (0-2, 4.42 ERA) to the mound. The team's top prospect, who is still seeking his first major league victory, went 2-0 with a 1.00 ERA in three minor league starts this month after being optioned on July 2. Colorado will answer with Ubaldo Jimenez (5-9, 4.20), who has a 7.32 ERA in four starts against Los Angeles despite his 2-0 record against the club. The 24-year-old righthander won for the third time in four starts in Thursday's 5-3 win over Pittsburgh after allowing three runs and five hits over seven innings.

Cleveland (44-54) at LA Angels (60-39), 10:05 pm

ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) -- The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on Monday looked nothing like the team that swept the Boston Red Sox in the first series of the second half. The Angels hope to get back on track and build on the best record in the major leagues on Tuesday, after dropping the opener of a three-game set against the Cleveland Indians. Behind the solid pitching of Paul Byrd and solo homers by Andy Marte, Casey Blake and Jhonny Peralta, the Indians rolled to a 5-2 triumph. Ervin Santana struck out eight in seven solid innings, but suffered the loss. Jered Weaver (8-8, 4.03 ERA) will take the mound for Anaheim in his first start against the Indians this season. In his career, he is 1-1 with a 5.09 ERA. The 25-year-old righthander has surrendered two runs or less in four straight starts. Cleveland will counter with Matt Ginter (1-0, 0.00), who made his first start since 2005 on July 12 against the Tampa Bay Rays in which he allowed five hits in five scoreless innings. He appears to be the odd-man out of the rotation, though, when Fausto Carmona returns from injury this week. Blake is 9-for-23 over his last six games, while smacking two homers and seven RBI in that span.