MLB Odds & Ends - Diamondbacks, Dodgers Dueling For Dominance

by Fairway Jay

The Diamondbacks took the opening game of a key 4-game series against the LA Dodgers Thursday, and Arizona (74-60) is holding on tight in the NL West with a 1.5 game lead over the Rockies and are now 2.0 games ahead of the LA Dodgers. The Diamondbacks 3-1 win snapped the Dodgers 5-game winning streak against the MLB odds and churned out yet another strong pitching result for the NL West division leaders.

Arizona starter Robbie Ray allowed just 1 run with 9 Ks over 5.1 innings, and five reliever’s chipped-in 3.2 scoreless innings to frustrate Dodgers hitters. Los Angeles has (72-62) had a baffling and bothersome season especially to MLB odds bettors and fans, as LA has lost more money than any other National League team. Los Angeles is often overpriced, and 10-games over .500 has resulted in more than 25-units lost when wagering on the Dodgers on the money line.

The Diamondbacks defense and pitching has allowed just 1, 1, 1, 2 and 2 runs its last five contests and Arizona has played six straight games under the total. Former Dodgers pitcher Zack Greinke takes the ball for Arizona in Friday night’s start against LA lefty Hyun-Jin Ryu, who replaces Clayton Kershaw. Another lower-scoring game is projected by the linemaker.

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS AT LOS ANGELES DODGERS – Friday, August 31 Greinke (AZ) +115 / +1.5 (-205) / U 7.5 (-120) Ryu (LAD) -125 / -1.5 (+170) / U 7.5 (+100)

Since the start of July, Greinke (13-8) has posted a 2.19 ERA over his last 10 starts. Still, he earned his first win since July 27 last time out without allowing an earned run over 6.2 innings against Seattle. This season Greinke is 2-0 with a 4.38 ERA in two starts against Los Angeles.

In three starts since coming off the disabled list because of a strained left groin, Ryu (4-1, 2.18) has been impressive. In recent starts against the Giants, Cardinals and Padres he has a combined 2.30 ERA over 15 2/3 innings. But he has yet to thrown more than 89 pitches in a start since returning from the DL. Ryu is 0-0 with a 5.40 ERA vs. Arizona this season.

Kershaw will start Saturday’s contest against Patrick Corbin in a pitching match-up of strikeout arties. Run line bettors beware, as Corbin is 3-0 with a 2.73 ERA and 32:2 K:BB across 26.1 innings in August. Still, the Dodgers are hitting .259 in August with a NL-best 43 HR’s, 101 BB and 28 stolen bases. Justin Turner (.394) and Cody Bellinger (.360) lead LA in hitting during August and each has a team-high 19 RBI’s.

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS AT LOS ANGELES DODGERS – Saturday, Sept. 1 Corbin (AZ) +160 / +1.5 (-140) / U 7 Kershaw (LAD) -170 / -1.5 (+120) / U 7 (+100)

Sunday’s series finale will feature right handers Clay Buckholz (7-2, 2.07 ERA) against the Dodgers Walker Buehler (6-4, 3.02). Buckholz tossed 7 shutout innings in the D’backs recent 1-0 win over the Giants.

MLB Odds & Ends - Lower scoring games appear to be more likely over the weekend between the Diamondbacks and Dodgers, especially in the first 5 innings.