Cubs-Dodgers

Friday's Day Game Features Strong Matchup

By Lucas Belcher

After dropping last night's game, Chicago takes on the Dodgers as it looks to even the series score. The Cubs will turn to their young southpaw Travis Wood, who's coming off seven innings of one-run ball against the Giants last Sunday. He'll go head-to-head with Los Angeles' Hyu-Jin Ryu who looks to extend the club's on-the-road winning streak to a formidable 12 games.

Wood has been the Cubs most consistent starter this season, posting 18 quality starts in 21 games. His seven wins and 2.79 ERA lead Chicago's pitching staff, as the lefty continues to impress. Tonight he'll face a hard-knocks Dodgers lineup that improved to 11-2 since the All-Star break after Thursday night's victory and have been on a tear since mid-June. Ryu is by no means the ace of a staff that includes Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke, but with nine wins and a 3.14 ERA he has played a critical role in the Dodgers recent hot streak. Last time out, Ryu pitched his own seven-inning, one-run game in a win against the high-powered Cincinnati offense.

The Cubs will hope to keep their bats going with first baseman Anthony Rizzo, who has connected for three long balls over the last two games, and rookie sensation Junior Lake, who tagged two solo blasts in last night's loss. The key for Chicago's offense tonight will be to get men on base infront their sluggers, as Ryu has given up a team-leading 11 homers this season.

Hanley Ramirez and Yasiel Puig will lead the Dodger offense against Wood. Ramirez got the scoring started for L.A. with a two-run double last night, but it was Puig's eighth inning solo shot that finished it. It was Puig's 11th home run in 51 games this season.

Wood is scheduled to throw the first pitch for the North Siders at 3:05 CST.