LA Dodgers (4-2) at Arizona (2-4)
When: Thursday, July 30th 2020
Where: Chase Field,
Phoenix, Arizona
Time: 9:40 ET | TV: Extra Innings
Opening Odds: Los Angeles -155/9.5
The Los Angeles Dodgers went into Houston on a mission and succeeded with a two-game sweep of the team that beat them in the 2017 World Series and was later found out to be cheating during that run. Now, the Dodgers travel to Phoenix to meet the Arizona Diamondbacks in the first of a four-game series on Thursday. L.A. showed how deep their bench is when Edwin Rios smacked a decisive two-run homer in the 13th inning for a 4-2 victory over the Astros on Wednesday. Corey Seager also homered for Los Angeles, which has now won two straight after dropping two in a row to San Francisco. The Dodgers are still 4-2 to start the season despite reigning National League MVP Cody Bellinger going 1-for-9 versus the Astros and is batting just .192. The Diamondbacks have scored just 17 runs and hit only one homer while losing four of their first six games including a rough 7-4 setback at Texas after leading 4-2 entering the eighth inning. Six starters are hitting below .200, including Kole Calhoun (.150), David Peralta (.182), Eduardo Escobar (.174) and Nick Ahmed (.100). L.A. went 11-8 against the Diamondbacks in 2019.
Pitchers: Dodgers – Ross Stripling (1-0, 1.29 ERA) | Diamondbacks – Robbie Ray (0-1, 7.36)
Ross Stripling will get his second start of the young season and is coming off a very strong outing versus San Francisco in which he gave up one run and four hits and struck out seven in seven innings. Stripling is in the rotation because veteran David Price opted out of the 2020 season due to Covid-19 concerns. He has seen the D’backs a lot over his career and has a 1-4 mark with a 3.86 ERA in 23 appearances (eight starts).
Robbie Ray had another solid season in 2019 with 235 K’s in 174.1 innings pitched but got off to a rough start last week. Ray managed to strike out seven in 3.2 innings, but surrendered three runs and four hits in a loss to the San Diego Padres on Saturday. He is 8-5 with a 3.15 ERA in 20 career starts against the Dodgers – striking out 161 in 120 innings.
The Dodgers are the best team in the National League, but they won’t win every game this season. I really like Ray and he has good career numbers against L.A. There’s no way I’m laying -155 on Stripling on the road. Take the dog. This is purely a numbers play here.
Check out who Bobby Babowski has on his Free MLB Picks page for today.
Pick: Diamondbacks +135
BETTING TRENDS:
Dodgers are 5-0 in their last 5 road games with the total set at 9.0-10.5.
Dodgers are 6-1 in their last 7 games vs. a starter with a WHIP greater than 1.30.
Dodgers are 6-1 in their last 7 road games with the total set at 7.0-8.5.
Dodgers are 14-3 in their last 17 road games.
Dodgers are 4-1 in their last 5 games vs. a left-handed starter.
Dodgers are 4-1 in their last 5 road games vs. a left-handed starter.
Dodgers are 4-1 in their last 5 games with the total set at 11.0 or higher.
Dodgers are 4-1 in their last 5 road games with the total set at 11.0 or higher.
Dodgers are 4-1 in their last 5 road games with the total set at 6.5 or lower.
Dodgers are 7-2 in their last 9 games with the total set at 9.0-10.5.
Dodgers are 10-3 in their last 13 games following a win.
Dodgers are 20-7 in their last 27 games as a road favorite.
Dodgers are 13-5 in their last 18 overall.
Dodgers are 13-5 in their last 18 games on grass.
Dodgers are 45-18 in their last 63 after allowing 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Dodgers are 39-17 in their last 56 games with the total set at 6.5 or lower.
Dodgers are 72-32 in their last 104 vs. National League West.
Dodgers are 65-29 in their last 94 during game 1 of a series.
Dodgers are 42-19 in their last 61 games as a favorite.
Dodgers are 35-16 in their last 51 vs. a team with a losing record.
Dodgers are 58-27 in their last 85 games with the total set at 7.0-8.5.
Dodgers are 38-18 in their last 56 Thursday games.
Dodgers are 36-17 in their last 53 road games vs. a team with a losing record.
Dodgers are 21-10 in their last 31 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400.
Diamondbacks are 4-0 in their last 4 home games vs. a right-handed starter.
Diamondbacks are 5-0 in their last 5 home games.
Diamondbacks are 4-0 in their last 4 games with the total set at 9.0-10.5.
Diamondbacks are 6-1 in their last 7 home games with the total set at 9.0-10.5.
Diamondbacks are 5-1 in their last 6 home games with the total set at 6.5 or lower.
Diamondbacks are 6-2 in their last 8 home games vs. a team with a winning record.
Diamondbacks are 6-2 in their last 8 games vs. a right-handed starter.
Diamondbacks are 17-6 in their last 23 vs. National League West.
Diamondbacks are 11-4 in their last 15 games as a home underdog.
Diamondbacks are 11-4 in their last 15 home games with the total set at 7.0-8.5.
Diamondbacks are 5-2 in their last 7 after allowing 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Diamondbacks are 7-3 in their last 10 overall.
Diamondbacks are 7-3 in their last 10 games on grass.
Diamondbacks are 3-7 in their last 10 when their opponent allows 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Diamondbacks are 3-8 in their last 11 vs. a team with a winning record.
Diamondbacks are 1-4 in their last 5 games with the total set at 7.0-8.5.
Diamondbacks are 2-11 in their last 13 games as an underdog.
