There has not been a team that has dominated as the Dodgers have this season. For all of the great players they have in their lineup, there are multiple rookies making a significant impact on the game this season as has been the case for the last few as well. They are riding with a rookie catcher, and a few infielders too. It does not seem that injuries can derail this team as there are just too many guys who they can plug and play, and still watch them be effective.
This has not exactly been a bad season for Arizona, but it has also not been one to write home about. They enter this series just one single game over .500 with a very small chance at getting into the postseason. Moving Zack Grienke at the deadline and Paul Goldschmidt after last season, they did not expect to qualify this year. This is a primarily young lineup, as the Dodgers have, and so the hope is likely that the best is yet to come.
The moneyline for the Diamondbacks is set at +175 tonight, while it’s listed as -200 for the Dodgers. The over/under is set at nine runs.
LA Looking For 90 Wins
Just two wins away from 90, the Dodgers come into this series after a few wins against the San Diego Padres. Will Smith has begun to cement himself as the everyday catcher, mashing home runs and setting up pitch locations for some of the NL’s best starters. He has struggled to hit of late, but Cody Bellinger recently went over 100 RBI, something that was not hard to see coming with how hot he was to start the season out. He and Max Muncy have been powering the offense this year.
Hyun Jin-Ryu will make his 25th start tonight. The 32-year-old has posted as 12-4 record with a 2.00 ERA in 152 2/3 innings of work. He has 133 strikeouts and just 19 walks and is a prime NL Cy Young candidate.
Arizona Trying To Sneak Into Postseason
The five-team Wild Card race in the NL does not currently include the Diamondbacks, but if they can find their groove and go on a massive winning streak in these next few weeks, they may have a chance. Eduardo Escobar has been a force to be reckoned with, knocking 29 balls out of the park and driving in a team-high 103 runs. Ketel Marte has 28 home runs and a .323 average, while Wilmer Flores is batting .316 in limited at-bats.
Merrill Kelly will make his 27th start of the season. The 30-year-old has posted a 9-13 record with a 4.86 ERA in 146 1/3 innings of work. He has struck out 119 batters while walking 42.
Dodgers Win Series Opener
Sorry Arizona, but the Dodgers are coming to win. Ryu will pick up his 13th win, as Muncy knocks his 34th long ball of the year out of the park to power the win.
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