Two NL West rivals reconnect as the Los Angeles Dodgers get back on the road to face the Arizona Diamondbacks in their home opener; this will be the first game of a four-game series. These two teams have been at each other’s throats for the past few seasons, so this should be a great contest in their first meeting of the season.
The pitching matchup will be the right-hander Ross Stripling for the Dodgers against the southpaw Robbie Ray of the Diamondbacks. Both of these pitchers have an extensive history against their opponent, which we’ll get a little more into.
Los Angeles Dodgers at Arizona Diamondbacks
Chase Field – Phoenix, AZ – 9:40 p.m. EST (Watch: ESPN+)
Starting Pitchers:
LAD: Ross Stripling – R (1-0, 1.29 ERA/0.57 WHIP this season)
ARZ: Robbie Ray – L (0-1, 7.36 ERA/1.91 WHIP this season)
Odds & Betting lines (DraftKings)
Total: 9.5 runs | Over: +100 | Under: -121
LAD | Moneyline: -157 | Run Line (-1.5): -103
ARZ | Moneyline: +135 | Run Line (+1.5): -117
Injury List
LAD: Joe Kelly -RP (SUS)
ARZ: none
Interesting Stats
D-Backs BvP Against Stripling
The D-Backs’ offense can certainly use a boost, with only one HR in the first six games. David Peralta (10-for-23, 5 XBH) and Nick Ahmed (7-for-13, 3 XBH/2 HR) are probably at the ballpark already, getting ready for this matchup. Stripling is 1-4 with a 3.86 ERA in 23 career appearances (eight starts) against Arizona.
Ray vs. Dodgers
The left-hander is 8-5 with a 3.15 ERA in 20 career starts against the Dodgers. This is somehow a great matchup for Ray, considering the history he’s had against this current roster. According to Statcast, the current LA roster only has a collective .212 expected batting average, .316 xwOBA and 36% strikeout rate in 253 plate appearances against Ray.
Last Seasons Matchups
In 2019, the Dodgers were 11-8 against the D-Backs, winning only four of the 10 meetings in Arizona.
Betting Picks
Diamondbacks Moneyline (+135)
I actually took the D-Backs yesterday against the Rangers, and that wound up being a huge disappointment – thanks again to the bullpen. However, the Dodgers just had a highly emotional series against the Houston Astros; they could very well be overlooking tonight’s opponent. Looking at the numbers in this matchup, it’s possible that Ray comes out and dazzles LA. After all, the Dodgers played a 4-hour, 44-minute marathon last night in Houston. I’m banking on that Dodgers’ fatigue kicking in and some timely hitting from the D-Backs for the upset here.
