The Los Angeles Dodgers will look for redemption when they open a three-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday night. Arizona swept a 3-game set with the Dodgers earlier in the month, and Los Angeles would no doubt like to return the favor in Chavez Ravine this weekend. The Los Angeles Dodgers are -125 over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday.
Earlier this week, the Diamondbacks took two of three games from the San Francisco Giants, helping them build a comfortable 3.5-game lead atop the NL West. Along with the Mets and Pirates, the Diamondbacks have established themselves as one of the top teams in the National League early in the year.
Meanwhile, Los Angeles is struggling to find consistency during the first portion of the season. The Dodgers are just 4-7 thus far, and in their last game on Wednesday, they lost to Oakland 16-6. A home series against the Diamondbacks could be a good opportunity to remind everyone why they were NL West favorites heading into the season.
Still An Ace?
Arizona will send ace Zack Greinke to the mound Friday night. However, Greinke hasn’t looked the part of an ace in his first couple starts. Last time out against the Cardinals, the 34-year old got lit up for five runs on nine hits over five innings. He’ll need to bounce back from that outing on Friday night.
Of course, Greinke has become quite familiar with the Dodgers over the past couple of seasons. Joc Pederson, Cody Bellinger, and Corey Seager are three hitters to watch. All three are left-handed hitters and all have good career numbers against Greinke. However, all three are off to slow starts this year, particularly Seager and Pederson, although Bellinger is showing signs of heating up in recent days.
King of the Hill
The Dodgers should also feel good about Rich Hill getting the start on Friday. The veteran lefty has pitched well in both times out this season, striking out 11 and allowing just three runs over 10 innings. He also has good numbers against most of Arizona’s hitters. The hitters on the Diamondbacks are a combined 13 for 58 (.224) against Hill in their career.
That being said, the Diamondbacks have been one of the best offensive teams in baseball over the first couple weeks of the season. Remember, they scored 17 runs over the course of three games against the Dodgers just last week, and that was without much contributions from Paul Goldschmidt. Arizona’s star first baseman is finally heating up, going 5 for 12 with two home runs in his last three games. If Goldschmidt gets going, the Diamondbacks can be even more dangerous offensively.
More Dodgers Blues
Between Hill and Greinke, the Dodgers may have the edge in starting pitching. But Greinke gets a lineup that’s been sputtering, while Hill faces a lineup that’s been producing and filled with right-hand hitting mashers. That puts things in Arizona’s favor, even on the road. When you are ready to bet on this game – take the Arizona Diamondbacks +125 on Friday.
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