The Diamondbacks have not been able to find consistency this season and they have fallen to the bottom of the NL West standings. The offense has been their main issue as they have not been able to generate enough runs to win games. That paltry offense will be tested by the best pitching staff in the league and the second-highest scoring team overall this season. This is Game 1 of a three-game set and it is the first of seven consecutive games on the road for Arizona which is 5-12 SU on the road this season. Meanwhile, the Dodgers have played well at home this season at 11-5 SU on the year.
The Arizona Diamondbacks need a win badly as they have been victorious just once in their last 11 assignments. Arizona has scored a total of 10 runs in their last three games and they have been held to three or fewer runs in eight out of their last 11 outings. The Diamondbacks have lost eight consecutive games when scoring three or fewer runs in a game.
Ketel Merle leads Arizona’s offense with 42 hits and 10 RBIs. Christian Walker and David Peralta have combined for 74 hits and a total of 44 RBIs. Starling Marte leads the team with a batting average of .311 while Kole Calhoun has 8 home runs and 19 RBIs on the season.
Alex Young will open for the Diamondbacks on Tuesday. The 26-year old left-hander is 1-1 this season with 10 appearances including three starts. Young has an ERA of 4.70 and a WHIP of 1.17 in 23 innings pitched. He has allowed 12 runs on 22 hits with seven homers and 24 strikeouts.
Young had a mediocre outing the last time out as the lefty gave up three runs in five innings with a no-decision in a win against the Rockies. He started the season in the bullpen and judging by his numbers, he’s looked better as a reliever
The Dodgers look to stay hot after winning eight out of their last 10 games played. Los Angeles has scored a total of 16 runs in their last three assignments and they have scored at least four runs in 10 out of their last 13 games played. The Dodgers are also 14-2 when they score four or more runs so that something to keep an eye in this game.
Mookie Betts leads the Dodgers with 39 hits and 26 RBIs on the season. Meanwhile, Corey Seager and Justin Turner have combined for 70 hits and 45 RBIs. Seager leads the team with a batting average of .311 while Betts has a total of 11 home runs to pace the Dodgers.
Julio Urias gets the nod to open on top of the mound for Los Angeles. The 24-year old left-hander has started six games this season and has a record of 2-0 with an ERA of 3.67 and a WHIP of 1.41 Urias has surrendered 11 runs on 28 hits with 3 home runs, 10 walks, and 24 strikeouts.
He didn’t have his best stuff in his previous start last Tuesday. Urias squandered four runs in four innings against the Giants. He got a no-decision but the Dodgers lost the game. He held the Diamondbacks to two runs in six innings during an 11-2 win earlier this season.
The Diamondbacks are 1-9 SU in their last 10 games played. Arizona is 0-4 SU in their last four games played on the road, 1-6 SU in their last seven road games against the Dodgers, and 1-8 SU in their last nine games played after an off day. Los Angeles is 8-2 SU in their last 10 games played. The Dodgers are 7-0 SU in their last seven games played at home, 40-14 in their last 54 games as betting favorites, and 38-15 in their last 53 games after an off day. Head to head, the Dodgers have won four out of their last five games played against the Diamondbacks and are 41-16 in their last 57 meetings against Arizona.
The Dodgers are 7-1 SU in their last eight games against left-handers and are 5-1 SU in Urias’ last six home starts. The Diamondbacks are 0-6 SU in Young’s last six starts following a loss in their previous game. Urias has limited Arizona to only three runs in 13 career innings against the Diamondbacks. He held them to two runs in six innings during an easy 11-2 win in his only start against them this season. Given the form of these two teams and after Arizona traded away some key pieces, I like the Dodgers to pick up the win here.
Prediction: Los Angeles Dodgers -238
Arizona is 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games played. The Diamondbacks are 0-4 ATS in their last four games played on the road. Los Angeles is 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games played. The Dodgers are 2-1 ATS in their last three games played at home. The Dodgers have outscored the Diamondbacks by an average of 3.33 runs per game in their last three head to head meetings and by 1.6 runs per game in their most recent 10 encounters.
Although three of Arizona’s nine losses in their last 10 games have come by just a single run, those one-run losses came against the Rockies who have the 21st ranked pitching staff in the league. On the other hand, the Dodgers have the best ERA in baseball and are the 2nd best run-scoring team in the majors. The Diamondbacks just can’t buy a win right now and it’s hard to envision them beating the Dodgers here. If you are brave enough, take the Dodgers at -1.5 runs. I don’t think they will have any problem covering this spread.
Prediction: Dodgers -1.5 (-130)
The total has gone under in eight out of the last 10 games played by Arizona. The Diamondbacks have seen the total go under in each of their last four games played on the road. The total has gone under in four out of the last five Tuesday games played by the Dodgers. The under is also 5-4-1 in their last 10 games played and 2-1 in their last three games played at home. Head to head, the under is also 5-4-1 in the last 10 meetings between these two teams and 2-1 in their last three head to head meetings.
The Diamondbacks have scored three or fewer runs in nine out of their last 12 games played and the Dodgers have the best ERA in the National League. Given Arizona’s struggles at the plate this season and the dominance of Los Angeles’ pitching staff so far this year, I expect the Diamondbacks to have trouble scoring runs here. Meanwhile, the Dodgers are a very good offensive team but they have struggled against left-handers as the under is 4-0 in their last four games against Southpaws. With Arizona starting Alex Young here, I expect these teams to hit the under in this game.
Prediction: Under 9 (-120)
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