Los Angeles, CA (My Sportsbook) - The Chicago Cubs try to equal a season-high with their fifth straight victory tonight, as they open a three-game series against the Dodgers in Los Angeles.

The Cubs finished a three-game sweep of the San Diego Padres with a 9-3 win yesterday afternoon. Sammy Sosa and Eric Karros both had two-run homers, while Carlos Zambrano (10-8) picked up the win with six stellar innings. Moises Alou also homered for the Cubs, who have won eight of their last 10 games. With the victory, Chicago gained its first three-game sweep away from home since May of 2001 and its first three-game sweep at Qualcomm since June of 1993.

Chicago has climbed within 1 1/2 games of Houston for the top spot in the NL Central. The Astros host Montreal tonight.

The Cubs have recorded four consecutive series wins, sweeping the Padres in San Diego, taking two-of-three against Arizona, San Francisco and Houston. The last time the Cubs recorded five straight series victories was from May 18 - June 7, 2001, when they won six straight.

Shawn Estes, who needs 16 strikeouts to reach the 1,000 mark for his big league career, takes the mound for the Cubs this evening. The lefthander is unbeaten in his last three starts (1-0). His last start came on Saturday against Arizona, and he did not get a decision, after pitching seven innings.

Estes is 3-7 with a 5.22 ERA in 18 career starts versus Los Angeles. He is looking for his first victory against the Dodgers since July 5, 1998, at San Francisco.

The Dodgers earned a 4-3 victory over the Cincinnati Reds last night. Adrian Beltre stroked a go-ahead, two-run double in the third inning to lift the Dodgers to the win. Shawn Green and Jeromy Burnitz also knocked in runs for the Dodgers, who swept the three-game series at Chavez Ravine and won their fourth straight game.

Los Angeles is 4 1/2 games behind Philadelphia for the NL wild card spot.

Andy Ashby will pitch for the Dodgers tonight. The 35-year-old righthander has lost five straight starts and is winless in his last six outings. Ashby's last victory came June 21 versus Anaheim. Tonight Ashby will try to avoid tying a career-high losing streak, as he lost six straight April 24 - August 5, 1993.

This will be Ashby's first appearance this season against the Cubs. He is 8-2 with a 3.48 ERA in 20 career appearances against Chicago.

The Cubs have found the road to be more friendly than Wrigley Field this year, as the club is 31-25 in its away games and 28-29 at home.

The Dodgers own a 32-25 mark at home this season.

This marks the first meeting of the season. The Dodgers went 4-2 last year versus Chicago and have won six of the last eight matchups.