Bodog Beat

The Dodgers do their best to stay ahead of the Rockies tonight. (AP Images)

The Los Angeles Dodgers, who have alternated wins with losses for nine straight games, try to end that pattern tonight as they continue a three-game set against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

One major reason for Los Angeles’ unpredictability has been the offensive struggles of Manny Ramirez. The slugger was hitting .259 with three homers and seven RBI since Aug. 12 before going deep in the second inning Monday.

Ramirez has had no problem taking advantage of the few pitches he’s seen from Billy Buckner, who will get the ball for Arizona. He’s 3-for-5 with two homers versus the righthander, who’s 0-5 with an 11.10 ERA in his last five starts overall.

Chad Billingsley hasn’t been nearly as ineffective as Buckner, but the Dodgers’ win leader has lost his last three starts.

The +170 underdog Diamondbacks are 6-10 against the Dodgers in 2009.

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