The Arizona Diamondbacks will head to Los Angeles to take on the Dodgers in the opener of a three-game set on Monday night. It’s time to continue our MLB odds series and make a Diamondbacks-Dodgers prediction and pick.
Arizona seems like a club that is in the middle of a free fall thanks to losses in seven of the last 10 games coming in. Los Angeles, on the other hand, is trying to return to its dominant form with wins in four of its last five games.
Here’s how sportsbooks have set the Diamondbacks-Dodgers odds.
MLB Odds: Diamondbacks-Dodgers Odds
Arizona Diamondbacks +1.5 (-117)
Los Angeles Dodgers -1.5 (-103)
Over 6.5 Runs (-122)
Under 6.5 Runs (+102)
Why The Diamondbacks Could Cover The Spread
Although the Diamondbacks have a somewhat talented roster, they've fallen victim to the saying, “Whatever can go wrong, will go wrong.” The Diamondbacks are now 18-23 on the season, which actually may be a bit misleading. They have lost four of their last five games coming in and were defeated 3-0 by the Washington Nationals in their last game. Arizona has over 10 guys on the injured list right now, and scheduled starter Luke Weaver has been scratched as he'll be getting an MRI of his right shoulder.
Arizona left-hander Madison Bumgarner will now take the bump in the series opener. Bumgarner has looked really good at times this season and especially of late. The southpaw is 4-2 with a 4.12 ERA on the year, but has bounced back from a horrible first three starts this season. After allowing 17 earned runs over his first three starts, Bumgarner allowed just three earned runs over his next five starts leading into this one. He allowed just four hits and no runs and struck out nine batters over seven innings of work in his last outing.
Why The Dodgers Could Cover The Spread
The Dodgers have been a roller-coaster club this season. After looking like they couldn't lose a game over the first few weeks of the season, they then hit a dry spell that looked like it would never end. The Dodgers now seem to be back to form with wins in four of their last five games. Their four-game winning streak was snapped in a 3-2 loss against the Miami Marlins on Sunday. The Dodgers now sit in third place in the National League West and have won two consecutive series against the Marlins and Seattle Mariners.
Right-hander Walker Buehler will man the mound for his club in the opener. Buehler has had a rough go of it over his last few starts, allowing 11 earned runs over his last three starts. Interesting enough, Buehler has still thrown at least six innings in every start this season and has at least eight strikeouts in each of his last four starts to date. Buehler gets a look at a depleted and underwhelming Diamondbacks lineup, which is exactly what the doctor ordered for the normally elite right-hander.
Final Diamondbacks-Dodgers Prediction & Pick
The Dodgers should very well leave this series with a convincing sweep. They are 12-6 at home this season and have been a far better team in all aspects of the game. Madison Bumgarner has looked solid recently, but he won't get the needed run support to stick around with a club that will inevitably score runs. The Dodgers' bullpen is much better as well and may be the difference if we see stellar outings from these starting pitchers.
FINAL PICK: Los Angeles Dodgers ML (-215)
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