If any team this season has a chance to end the Dodgers’ amazing run of seven straight NL West Division titles, it’s the Arizona Diamondbacks – and it’s a small chance. The teams meet for the first time this season Thursday in the desert with the Dodgers favored as usual on the baseball betting odds.
Dodgers vs Diamondbacks – MLB Odds & Picks
How to Bet Dodgers at Diamondbacks MLB Odds & TV Info- When: Thursday, 9:40 PM ET
- Where: Chase Field
- Probable pitchers (away/home): Ross Stripling/Robbie Ray
- TV: MLB Extra Innings
- Stream/gameday audio: ESPN+, https://www.mlb.com/live-stream-games/
- Opening MLB Lines: Dodgers -147, Diamondbacks +137 (total 9)
Before Thursday’s game could be big for the Dodgers because ace lefty Clayton Kershaw is set for another bullpen session. The veteran left-hander was to start Opening Day but was scratched and put on the injured list due to back stiffness. Kershaw has thrown two bullpen sessions already, and he could get clearance to join the starting rotation sometime next week if his workouts continue to go smoothly.
The Dodgers are quite thin in the rotation after also putting starter Alex Wood on the injured list this week. Wood, 29, made the start on Saturday, tossing three innings and allowing three in a 5-4 loss to the Giants. In eight Major League seasons, he is a combined 53-44 with a 3.42 ERA (320 ER/842.0 IP) and 772 strikeouts. To replace Wood on the roster, the Dodgers called up right-handed pitcher Josh Sborz. The 26-year-old made seven appearances for the Dodgers in 2019, going 0-1 with 8.00 ERA (8 ER/9.0 IP) and seven strikeouts.
It’s Ross Stripling on the mound here. Stripling, who wasn’t even in the rotation until David Price elected not to play this year, delivered the Dodgers’ first quality start last week against the Giants, allowing only one run in seven innings. His new-grip changeup made an impressive debut. The lone run allowed was by a Jaylin Davis home run leading off the third inning.
Stripling said he was competitive with the high fastballs and encouraged as Manager Dave Roberts left him in through seven innings even though he resorted to between-innings stretching to loosen his hips and lower back.
“The new [changeup] grip, I had it in Spring Training and got away from it in quarantine and got it back in quarantine and worked it hard in Summer Camp,” he said. “Was able to throw a handful of really good ones today. I’ve faced some of those hitters many times and got a swing and miss on a changeup, maybe a new wrinkle they haven’t seen.”
Stripling not only wasn’t supposed to be in the Dodgers starting rotation this season, he wasn’t supposed to be in a Dodgers uniform. He was traded to the Angels, then he wasn’t.
Why Bet on Arizona?This will be Arizona’s home opener but there won’t be any fans in attendance. The D-backs are 6-2 in their last 8 home games vs. the Dodgers.
Closer Archie Bradley looked dominant in his first save of the season Tuesday in Texas, striking out the side in a perfect inning. Bradley was completely locked in, whiffing Danny Santana, Rougned Odor and Joey Gallo. The 27-year-old righty has established himself as one of the premier closers in the National League.
As of Tuesday, trade acquisition Starling Marte had hit safely in his first 5 games as a D-back and 8 straight dating back to 2019. His 343 average (69-for-201) since last July 20 is third among NL players (min. 150 PA) to Arizona’s Ketel Marte (.352) and Wilmer Flores (.348). Marte also had his first steal Tuesday. Now in his 207 career games with 1-or-more stolen bases totaling 240 stolen bases, has hit .383 (322-for-840)/.975 OPS with 42 doubles, 9 triples, 20 homers, 98 RBI and 66 walks. His team has gone 127-80 in those games.
It’s lefty Robbie Ray in this one. Ray is looking to rebound from his start against the Padres, in which he allowed three runs over 3 2/3 innings. San Diego ran up his pitch count, forcing him out of the game after 97 pitches. The big blow was a three-run homer by Wil Myers in the fourth inning.
Last year, Ray set career highs in strikeouts (235), strikeouts per 9.0 IP (12.13) and starts (33) in 2019, going 12-8 with a 4.34 ERA. Since 2016, he ranks among NL leaders in strikeouts per 9.0 IP (2nd, 11.89) and strikeouts (3rd, 843). In 20 career starts vs. Dodgers, he is 8-5 with a 3.15 ERA (42 ER in 120.0 IP), .203 opponent average and 161 strikeouts (12.08 K/9.0 IP).
Game Trends- Dodgers are 1-4 in the last 5 meetings in Arizona.
- Over is 3-1-1 in the last 5 meetings in Arizona.
- Over is 3-1-1 in the last 5 meetings.
- Dodgers are 19-7 in their last 26 games as a road favorite.
- Diamondbacks are 17-6 in their last 23 vs. National League West.
- Diamondbacks are 11-4 in their last 15 games as a home underdog.
- Diamondbacks 6, Dodgers 4
