The Astros have won the first two tests of this series and seven of their last eight games overall, including Saturday's 5-0 blanking of LA. Chris Sampson threw seven scoreless innings and Lance Berkman went 2-for-3 with a double to lead the way.

Sampson gave up just three hits and one walk, while striking out three for the Astros. Michael Bourn went 2-for-5 and stole his 17th base of the season, while Darin Erstad doubled and had two RBI. Miguel Tejada also finished with two runs batted in.

Shawn Chacon is still searching for his first win in an Astros uniform, as he sports an 0-0 record with a 3.60 ERA in seven starts this season.

Chacon, who has pitched at least five innings in every start in 2008, last took the mound on May 6 versus Washington. Chacon yielded four runs and eight hits through seven innings of work during a 6-5 Houston victory.

The veteran right-hander is 4-7 with a 5.85 ERA in 20 career games (12 starts) against the Dodgers.

Chad Billingsley was wild early and threw just five innings, allowing five runs -- four earned -- on six hits and a pair of walks. Matt Kemp, James Loney and Chin-Lung Hu had the hits for the Dodgers, who have lost three in a row.

Dodgers rookie Hiroki Kuroda gets the nod this afternoon, and is 1-2 with a 3.95 ERA in seven starts.

Kuroda is 0-2 in his last six starts with three consecutive no decisions. He previously took the hill on May 6 versus the New York Mets, allowing four runs -- two earned -- and eight hits in a season-low 3 1/3 innings of work.

The right-hander will face Houston for the first time on Sunday.

Houston won four of its seven meetings with the Dodgers last season.