Dodgers vs D’Backs Preview: Dodgers Favored in Opener

Slumping Arizona Falls Out of Playoff Spot

August 8, 2023 92 2 minutes readMLB Picks & Parlays

Dodgers vs D'Backs Preview: Dodgers Favored in Opener — Denis Poroy/Getty Images/AFP

The Dodgers vs D’Backs preview shows two teams who are heading in opposite directions heading down the stretch. The Dodgers have won seven of their last 10 games and hold a 4.0-game lead over the San Francisco Giants. Arizona has dropped six straight games and is now 2.0 games out of a wild card spot. The Diamondbacks trail the Dodgers by 9.0 games.

The Dodgers will send Julio Urias to the mound to face Brandon Pfaadt in the opener. The Dodgers are -151 and the total on the game is 9-over (-120). Los Angeles is even on the run line at -1.5 runs. Arizona +1.5 runs is -120. Urias isn’t the dominating pitcher he was last season, but is 8-6 with a 4.69 ERA. (See Updated Lines Below)

The Dodgers are 10-6 when he starts. Pfaadt is 0-5 with a 7.11 ERA. Arizona is 4-5 when he starts, so they’ve won all four games he didn’t get a decision in.

The Dodgers are down the MLB team stats in hitting, sitting at No. 15 with a .251 average. But the Dodgers are No. 2 in the MLB stats in home runs, which has helped them become the second highest scoring team in MLB.

Mookie Betts leads the team with 31 home runs and is among the MLB leaders 2023. He’s fourth in MLB in home runs. The biggest problem for Los Angeles this season has been pitching. The Dodgers are No. 19 in team ERA and have several starters sidelined. The Dodgers made some deadline moves to bolster the pitching staff.

The Diamondbacks are No. 12 in team batting average and No. 11 in the MLB stats in scoring. Arizona doesn’t have the power of Los Angeles and are No. 17 in home runs. The Diamondbacks pitching staff is No. 25 in team ERA.

Tuesday’s Game

Urias doesn’t quite seem like the bargain he appeared to be after you factor in Arizona’s 4-5 record with Pfaadt. But the Dodgers vs D’Backs preview notes Arizona is 16-16 against left-handed starters and 13-18-1 in totals facing a left-hander. Arizona scores .4 fewer runs. The Dodgers scored 13 runs on Monday and teams who scored 13 or more runs their previous game are 27-40-2 in totals. The under could be worth a shot in this one.

Wednesday’s Game

The Dodgers vs D’Backs shows Bobby Miller and Merrill Kelly the scheduled starters for Wednesday. Miller is 6-2 with a 4.26 ERA, while Kelly has gone 9-5 with a 3.21 ERA. The Dodgers are 8-4 in the games Miller has started, allowing 4.25 runs. Los Angeles is 9-3 in totals. Arizona has posted an 11-8 with Kelly on the mound and is 6-13 in totals.

Kelly split two games with the Dodgers back at the beginning of the season and won’t be intimidated by them. Arizona is in dire need of a victory and as long as the line is close to even, the Diamondbacks could be worth a look in the final game of this brief two-game series.