Los Angeles (33-15) at Chicago (23-22)

The last time the Los Angeles Dodgers visited Wrigley Field, they helped contribute to the Chicago Cubs’ longstanding postseason misery.

The surging Dodgers return to Chicago for the first time since embarrassing the Cubs in the first two games of the 2008 NL division series to open a four-game set Thursday night.

Though Chicago swept a three-game set from Los Angeles last May, the Dodgers carried over their strong play from the final month of the regular season and easily swept the Cubs in three games.

Manny Ramirez(notes) homered in each of the first two contests as the Dodgers outscored the Cubs 17-5 at Wrigley before eliminating them with a 3-1 victory at home in Game 3.

It was the second straight season Chicago was swept in the NLDS and came during the 100th anniversary season of its last World Series championship.

Los Angeles lost in five games to Philadelphia in the NL championship series.

“It’s interesting,” manager Joe Torre told the Dodgers’ official Web site. “We go back to Wrigley where we lost three straight there during the regular season but had success the first two games there during the playoffs.

“It’s not an easy place to go to, but we’re playing well.”

Almost two months into the 2009 season, the Dodgers (33-15) have the best record in the majors and a potent lineup that’s thrived despite losing Ramirez to a 50-game drug suspension on May 7. The Dodgers lead the NL in runs (276) and batting average (.292), while posting a solid 3.78 ERA.

Chicago (23-22), meanwhile, has endured a rash of injuries to core players Aramis Ramirez(notes), Derrek Lee(notes) and Carlos Zambrano(notes), while trying to find some consistency at the plate.

Each team, though, enters this contest having won their previous series.

Former Cub Juan Pierre(notes) had three hits in Los Angeles’ 8-6 win at Colorado on Wednesday to sweep that three-game set. The Dodgers have won four in a row and seven of their last eight on the road.

Pierre is 35 for 83 (.422) with 17 RBIs since Ramirez’s suspension, and 10 for 20 with seven RBIs in his last four games.

“J.P. has been on fire ever since he’s been starting,” Wednesday’s winning pitcher Clayton Kershaw(notes) said. “But everybody is stepping up.”

Orlando Hudson(notes) is batting .370 (27 for 73) during a career-high 17-game hitting streak, but .197 in 20 games versus Chicago.

Randy Wolf(notes) (2-1, 3.02 ERA) takes the ball for the Dodgers after allowing four runs and 10 hits in 6 1-3 innings of a 5-4, 10-inning win over the Angels on Saturday.

The left-hander, who has not factored in his last two decisions and seven overall this year, is 3-7 with a 4.71 ERA in 15 games against the Cubs. Wolf, however, threw a six-hitter in a 4-0 win at Chicago on Sept. 3 while with Houston.

Right-handed hitting Reed Johnson(notes) could be in the lineup again after his eighth-inning homer helped Chicago to a 5-2 win over Pittsburgh on Wednesday.

Ryan Theriot(notes) added three hits for the Cubs, who have won two in a row after losing a season-high eight straight. The shortstop was 7 for 11 with three RBIs against the Pirates, but is 2 for 11 versus Wolf.

The Cubs have scored 19 runs in their last three games after totaling 10 in their previous seven contests.

“Since we’ve come home, we’ve been swinging more relaxed and putting more runs on the board and hitting the ball hard with consistency,” manager Lou Piniella told the Cubs’ official Web site.

Randy Wells(notes) (0-1, 1.50) makes his fourth start for the Cubs and first against Los Angeles. After not allowing a run in 11 innings over his first two outings, the right-hander gave up three runs in seven innings of a 3-1 loss at San Diego on Saturday.