(Photo credit: Bob Kupbens-Imagn Images)

After spending the past two weeks making an impact on the National League playoff chase, the Cincinnati Reds can continue making a name for themselves with a visit to the Los Angeles Dodgers starting Monday.

The Reds just won twice in a three-game home series against the NL-best Milwaukee Brewers, taking the finale Sunday 12-8 when Elly De La Cruz hit a two-run home run and a two-run double.

Before that, they took two of three against the San Diego Padres, who are fighting to stay in the wild-card race, right after taking two of three from the Chicago Cubs, who lead the wild-card standings.

The Brewers are now just 1 1/2 games ahead of the Dodgers (86-57) in the fight for the best record in the major leagues and home-field advantage through the World Series, while the Padres are just outside of the postseason field.

As for the Reds (69-74), they are 6 1/2 games out of a playoff spot.

De La Cruz went 10-for-22 with two home runs and six RBIs over the last two series and was the designated hitter in four of the games. Before the week, he had just 10 games at DH in four seasons.

'I think he's warming up to the designated hitter idea a little bit,' said Reds manager Terry Francona, who altered De La Cruz's role of late because of a recent quad injury. 'He's doing a very good job. He's regulating (his energy output).'

The Reds will send right-hander Chase Burns (15-3, 2.79 ERA) to the mound. The second-year pitcher and first-time All-Star has a career-high 145 1/3 innings pitched and will be limited during starts moving forward.

Burns faced the Dodgers last season and gave up three runs over 5 2/3 innings to take the loss.

The Dodgers will recall right-hander Emmet Sheehan (4-8, 5.29) to start Monday's game, manager Dave Roberts confirmed.

In three career appearances (two starts) against the Reds, Sheehan has not allowed an earned run over 15 2/3 innings. But he has a 1-1 record because of three unearned runs.

Sheehan was squeezed out of a crowded rotation when Los Angeles acquired left-hander Tarik Skubal from the Detroit Tigers at the trade deadline and welcomed back left-hander Blake Snell and right-hander Tyler Glasnow from the injured list.

Also missing from the Dodgers' rotation, and from their starting lineup, has been Shohei Ohtani, who was out of action Sunday for his fourth consecutive game. Ohtani has been dealing with left knee and right biceps soreness with Roberts hopeful his DH will return Monday.

All the Dodgers have done in his absence is win four consecutive games, including a 7-5 decision against the Washington Nationals on Sunday when Mookie Betts hit a go-ahead three-run homer in the eighth inning.

Ohtani took swings in an indoor batting cage this past weekend and is in line to return Monday.

'Obviously we were talking about potentially giving him as much time to get right,' Roberts said. 'So just pleasantly pleased (of his progress). But again, until he's written in the lineup, we don't know 100%, but I'm hopeful.'

Ohtani was batting just .137 (7-for-51) with one home run over his past 13 games. He struck out a season-high four times Wednesday.

--Field Level Media