Cubs-Dodgers preview

LOS ANGELES -- Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts enjoys challenges. Roberts couldn't agree more with the old cliche to be the best, you have to beat the best.

Roberts is hoping the Dodgers can bounce back from defeat Saturday when they host the Chicago Cubs again. The Cubs rallied for a 6-4 victory in 10 innings Friday night at Dodger Stadium.

Kris Bryant's two-run homer, his second long-ball of the game, was the difference as the Cubs improved to a major league best 82-45.

"This is fun. This is the class of the National League this year and they've got a lot of talent," Roberts said of the Cubs. "They're playing good baseball and have all year. I think we've been playing pretty well ourselves. Every day is a test, but to play these guys we've got to play well."

Dodgers rookie Julio Urias will be tested again against the Cubs. Urias (4-2, 3.95 ERA) made his second career start against the Cubs on June 2 at Wrigley Field and it wasn't a good outing. He allowed six runs (five earned) on eight hits in five innings. Urias served up three home runs.

However, Cubs manager Joe Maddon believes younger pitchers mature and deliver a better game at home as they gain more experience.

"It's a maturation process, honestly," Maddon said. "I've seen that with young pitchers that pitch well at home but then not on the road. Then, they pitch good at both places. It's just a matter of time. It's a comfort thing. You go to some place new you're uncomfortable. You're playing at home all of the time, you're much more comfortable with the environment.

"As you're moving along, even as a manager and coach, you become more comfortable in your environment."

Jason Hammel (13-6, 3.07 ERA) will get the start for the Cubs. Hammel got shelled in his last outing, serving up a season-high 10 runs (six earned) in 3 1/3 innings in an 11-4 rout by the Colorado Rockies.

Hammel is 2-6 with a 4.80 ERA in 17 games (13 starts) against the Dodgers. He is winless in eight games (five starts) at Dodger Stadium. Hammel last faced Los Angeles on May 30 at Wrigley Field but was forced out of the contest after two scoreless innings with cramping in his right hamstring.

Hammel has allowed three fewer runs in 20 of his 24 starts and held batters to a .184 average with runners in scoring position.

Chicago has beaten the Dodgers (71-57) in four of five games this season. The Cubs took three of four when the two teams met Memorial Day weekend in Chicago.

The Cubs are 5-2 on their nine-game road trip. They have captured 20 of their last 24 games since July 31 and are 8-2 in the last 10 road games.

Another challenge for the Dodgers is slowing Bryant, who leads the National League with 35 home runs and 107 runs.

"We have many guys that are having really good years," Maddon said, adding that he believes Bryant has prospered because of a more compact swing.