Dodgers vs. Diamondbacks - Odds, Picks & Predictions: Dodgers Lose Again

In the desert on Saturday night in an NL West affair, the Arizona Diamondbacks host the L.A. Dodgers. We have you covered with all of the game info and our picks in this Dodgers vs. Diamondbacks prediction.

The Dodgers (69-47) lost the first game of this series, and they are reeling, dropping their last seven games. They are still in first place in the NL West, 7.5 games ahead of the Diamondbacks 62-55, who have won two of their last three games. Arizona is tied with the Philadelphia Phillies for the second NL Wild Card spot.

The top US sportsbooks have the Dodgers as road favorites at -180, with the Diamondbacks at +150, and a total of 8.5 runs.

Dodgers Not Looking Like Two-Time Defending Champions 

With the 4-3 loss in the first game of this series, the two-time defending World Series champion Dodgers have lost seven in a row and since July 5, are 10-16.

In the loss yesterday, L.A. reliever Edwin Diaz gave up a 2-run walk-off home run in the ninth inning. Andy Pages had a solo home run in the loss, and Freddie Freeman and Tommy Edman each had an RBI.

While Los Angeles ranks fourth in the Majors in runs scored, they are only averaging 3.5 runs in their seven-game skid while giving up an average of 6.6 runs.

Shohei Ohtani (.296, 26 home runs, 70 RBIs) was 0-2 last night and is batting over .400 this month, and both his home runs and all three RBIs in August came in the game before the last one. Pages (.268, 19 home runs, 75 RBIs) leads the club in RBIs and is batting .238 in six games this month with four RBIs.

Starting Pitcher for Second Game of Series 

Yoshinobu Yamamoto (11-7, 2.76 ERA, 0.88 WHIP) takes the hill for the Boys in Blue, and they had won two straight starts where he gave up a total of three runs before his last start, when he gave up three runs in eight innings in a 3-2 loss to the Boston Red Sox. This season L.A. is 1-1 in his two starts against the Diamondbacks, but his last one was four starts ago and his worst of the season, giving up six runs in six innings in a loss. On the season, he has totaled 133 2/3 innings, striking out 121 and walking 29.

Up and Down Lately for D-Backs 

After winning four in a row, the Diamondbacks are 3-3 in their last six games, totaling 19 runs in the wins and only five in the losses.

On the season, Arizona has won six of 11 games against the Dodgers. They rank 11th in the Majors in runs scored and 18th in team ERA.

Ketel Marte (.246, 19 home runs, 62 RBIs) leads the club in home runs and RBIs and is struggling, batting under .100 this month with one RBI and no home runs over the last 10 games. Nolan Arenado (.241, 17 home runs, 54 RBIs) ranks second on the club in home runs, went yard in yesterday’s win over L.A., and has three home runs and four RBIs in six games in August.

Starting Pitcher for Second Game of Series 

Brandon Pfaadt (6-1, 3.66 ERA, 1.26 WHIP) goes for Arizona, and they have won his last eight starts since rejoining the starting rotation. He has not given up any runs in his last two starts, and in two appearances against the Dodgers, one start and one out of the bullpen, he gave up four runs in 6 1/3 innings. On the season, Pfaadt has worked 78 2/3 innings, striking out 52 and walking 22.

Dodgers vs. Diamondbacks Prediction 

Diamondbacks ML (+150, DraftKings)  

The Diamondbacks have good value here at home facing a struggling Dodgers’ team that has lost seven in a row. In their losing streak, L.A. is only averaging 3.5 runs per game, and they will not break out of that slump tonight. Pfaadt has not allowed any runs in his last two starts, and a few back, he gave up only two to the Dodgers. Yamamoto will not be shelled like he was four starts back against the Diamondbacks and will have a decent start. Like the series opener, this one will be a close and low-scoring game, and just like it, Arizona will get the win and send the Dodgers to their eighth loss in a row.

Under 8.5 runs (-115, DraftKings) 

The total went Under in the opener of this series, and that is the pick in this one as well. Yamamoto was lit up in his last start against the Diamondbacks but has not allowed more than 3 runs since, and he will be decent. Pfaadt has not given up any runs in his last two starts and will pitch well again facing an L.A. team averaging 3.5 runs in their seven-game skid. In another low-scoring game, the Under is the way to go.