The Arizona Diamondbacks were supposed to be drained Friday night against the Dodgers after a quick turnaround from a wild 11-8 wild card win on Wednesday night. That showed early as LA was able to build up a 7-1 lead by the 4th inning but Arizona kept chipping away to make it a competitive 9-5 loss. MLB Predictions Diamondbacks Dodgers 10/7/17 is one that Arizona desperately needs.
Odds
The Diamondbacks were able to crank out four home runs against Dodger ace Clayton Kershaw last night which could be a reason why the betting public is almost 50/50 on tonight’s game. Oddsmakers have made the Dodgers -145 favorites as they send Rich Hill to the mound trying to go up 2-0. Arizona’s starter is Robbie Ray, who would have pitched last night if not for being pressed into bullpen relief during the wild card game. Backing the 15-game winner in this one pays out +120 and despite last night’s combined 14 runs, tonight’s total is set at a modest 8.
Diamondbacks
A lot of people forget that the D’Backs won the season series against the 104 win Dodgers 11 games to 8 which includes a 6-0 run to end the regular season. Sure they lost in game one, but a lot of that had to do with the quick turnaround from Wednesday night’s wild card game. Arizona should be settled, especially with Robbie Ray on the mound. The left-hander started five games against the Dodgers this season, going 3-0 with a 2.27 ERA. Ray has held Los Angeles batters to a .239 average in their careers.
Dodgers
Los Angeles is huge favorites to win the NL this season at 1/1 odds. Their offense was on point against Taijuan Walker and the Diamondback pitching staff in game one, cranking out 9 runs on 8 hits. Tonight’s starter is Rich Hill who makes his fifth postseason start. The last time out in October, Hill held the eventual world champion Cubs to just 2 hits over 6 innings in the 2016 NLCS. He’s held Arizona batters to a .207 combined average but was 0-3 against them this year in four starts with a 5.03 ERA.
MLB Predictions Diamondbacks Dodgers 10/7/17
Hill gave up 4 home runs in just 19.2 IP against Arizona this year. You’ve got the winless (vs. Arizona) Los Angeles pitcher on one side against the undefeated (vs. Los Angeles) Arizona hurler across the diamond. The line has barely moved from its open which tells you MLB Predictions Diamondbacks Dodgers 10/7/17 could really go either way. Arizona required 8 innings out of their bullpen last night and when a game is right down the middle – you go with the fresh squad at home that won 100+ games.
Pick: Dodgers -145