The Los Angeles Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks kick off a four-game series on Thursday night. This series is extremely important to both teams, and these are expected to be the two best teams in the division.
The Dodgers should come into this series with a ton of momentum after sweeping the Houston Astros earlier this week. Los Angeles was forced to play 12 innings on Wednesday night before they came away with the win.
Arizona is just 2-4 to start the season, and they are looking for more consistency. This team has too much talent to continue slumping, and they will turn things around in a hurry.
FanDuel has the Los Angeles Dodgers -148 over the Arizona Diamondbacks in the season opener.
Diamondbacks Looking For Offense
The Arizona Diamondbacks were expected to be one of the best offensive teams in baseball this season, but it has not started out that way. Arizona has yet to score at least five runs in any of their first six games, and they scored just three total runs in their previous two games.
The biggest problem for the Diamondbacks is that they have hit just one home run this season, and that was courtesy of Kole Calhoun. If Arizona is going to start winning games soon, they will have to find a way to hit some long balls.
Starling Marte leads the team with seven hits in his first season with the Diamondbacks, but some other big-name players have struggled. Arizona will figure it out eventually, but there is not much time in a 60 game season.
Arizona will send Robbie Ray to the mound in the series opener on Thursday night, and he is looking for a bounce-back performance. Ray gave up three runs in 3 ⅔ innings against the Padres in his first start of the season, but he has the tools to have a terrific season.
Dodgers Suddenly Looking For Pitching
Injuries have already taken a toll on the Los Angeles Dodgers starting rotation, and that has forced Ross Stripling into the starting rotation. Stripling allowed just one run in seven innings in his first start of the season, and he certainly has the tools to be a solid starting pitcher in the league.
Mookie Betts has struggled to get things going so far in his short Dodgers career, but other players in that lineup have not. Justin Turner is already hitting .333, and he leads the team with eight hits. Max Muncy leads the team with two long balls this season.
There aren’t many weaknesses in the Dodgers roster, and they could put up some big run totals in the desert in Arizona.
Los Angeles Takes Series Opener
Major League Baseball implemented a new rule to cut down on the length of extra-inning games, but the Dodgers still played a long game on Wednesday night. That could have the Dodgers feeling a little fatigued for this game, giving the Diamondbacks a slight edge.
The problem for Arizona is that they are at a big disadvantage in terms of the starting pitching matchup, and the D-Backs have not been scoring runs all season long. Arizona has plenty of big bats in their lineup, but they are still looking for a breakout game.
These two teams will likely battle it out for the NL West crown this season, and this series is extremely important. Arizona will celebrate their home opener on Thursday night, but it will be the Dodgers celebrating in the end.
Head to FanDuel Sportsbook and bet the Los Angeles Dodgers -148 in game one of this critical four-game series.
