CHRIS CHIRIMBES
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (MLB)
Play: Money Line: -172 Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles won its fourth straight at Pittsburgh and improved to 22-6 at PNC Park. The Dodgers have never lost a series there and are guaranteed at least a split in this set.The Pirates have dropped eight of 11 and 19 of their last 25 games.Outstanding starting pitching has played a key role in the Dodgers' resurgence, going 12-1 with a 2.26 ERA in the last 16 games. A major part of that success has been Chad Billingsley (15-10, 3.02 ERA), who looks to win four straight starts for the second time this season.The right-hander has taken another step forward in 2008, improving his win total and lowering his ERA for the third consecutive year. He turned in another strong outing Friday in a 7-2 win at Colorado, allowing two runs and six hits in six innings.Billingsley has surrendered three earned runs or fewer in 12 straight starts while pitching at least six innings in 10 of those appearances.In five career appearances - one start - Billingsley is 2-0 with a 4.22 ERA against the Pirates. This will be his first start versus Pittsburgh since a 5-2 victory on Sept. 21, 2006.Zach Duke (5-14, 4.84) hopes to avoid matching a career high with his 15th loss. The left-hander was unable to build on one of the best starts of his career, getting tagged for six runs - two earned - and six hits over 4 2-3 innings Thursday in a 6-0 loss at Houston. He threw a six-hitter in a 7-0 win at San Francisco in his previous start for his first victory since June 9.Duke is 0-6 with a 6.75 ERA in his last six home starts.He is 1-3 with a 7.28 ERA in five starts against the Dodgers, giving up 44 hits in 29 2-3 innings.