The Los Angeles Dodgers are still in good shape at the top of the National League West standings with a 61-35 record but the defending MLB champions are not having a great time of it in their current series against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The visitors have won the first two games in the series by scorelines of 9-3 and 9-2 to get their record back in credit at 48-47, albeit still 12.5 games back of the divisional leaders.
The Dodgers will be sending right-handed pitcher Emmet Sheehan to the hill for the final game before the All-Star Break, while the D-Backs are handing the ball to the inexperienced Mitch Bratt, who has been called up to replace the injured Zac Gallen.
Los Angeles Dodgers v Arizona Diamondbacks Tips Summary
Best Bet - Arizona Diamondbacks +1.5 @ 10/11
Alternative Bet - Gabriel Moreno 2+ bases @ 7/5
Bet Builder - Over 8.5 runs, A run in the 1st inning - Yes, Shohei Ohtani over 0.5 home runs @ 22/5
Los Angeles Dodgers v Arizona Diamondbacks Prediction
Best Bet: Arizona Diamondbacks +1.5 @ 10/11
The Arizona Diamondbacks are only 21-27 on the road this season but they are aiming for a fourth straight win over the defending World Series champions when they clash at Dodger Stadium on Sunday night.
The home team would love to avoid a sweep in their final game before the MLB All-Star Break but after losing by margins of six and seven runs in the first two skirmishes, even a close game would be an improvement.
The home team's superstar Shohei Ohtani hit a leadoff homer in Game 1, but the D-Backs scored two runs in each of the fourth, fifth and sixth innings to pull clear for a 9-3 win.
Arizona's Saturday success was even more impressive as James McCann hit two home runs in a 9-2 victory.
The Diamondbacks have had to call up 22-year-old Mitch Bratt to start this game after Zac Gallen was scratched due to an elbow injury.
The lefty, who arrived in a trade with the Rangers last summer, has made a promising start to his MLB career and while he is not the fastest pitcher around, he is accurate.
Facing an elite line-up such as the Dodgers' won't be easy for him, but LA does not have an in-form pitcher on the mound either as Emmet Sheehan has a 4-6 record this season and an ERA of 4.91.
Completing the sweep won't be easy for the Diamondbacks but it should be possible and backing them on the +1.5 run line certainly holds plenty of appeal.
Alternative Bet: Gabriel Moreno 2+ bases @ 7/5
Arizona catcher Gabriel Moreno is having a strong series in LA and can keep up his fine run by recording two or more bases on Sunday.
The Venezuelan had two hits and two RBIs in the opening game and followed up with two hits and two runs from just three plate appearances in game two.
He has now had two hits in five of his last six games and also had two hits on a visit to Dodger Stadium in March. He is worth supporting at odds-against to post two or more bases in the game.
Los Angeles Dodgers v Arizona Diamondbacks Bet Builder Tip
- Over 8.5 runs
- A run in the 1st inning - Yes
- Shohei Ohtani over 0.5 home runs
Pays 22/5
Start a three-leg Bet Builder on the game at Dodger Stadium by taking at least nine runs to be scored. There have been 11 and 12 runs in the first two games of the series and the Dodgers have given up at least three runs in six straight games.
The series opened with four runs in the first inning, and while Game 2 was 0-0 after the first, an early score seems possible tonight with both offences in form and two vulnerable pitchers starting.
Add Shohei Ohtani to notch a home run to sign off before he has a procedure on his knee. The Dodgers' designated hitter began the series with a long ball in Game 1 and has hit 21 home runs this season.
Learn more about how Bet Builders work in our Bet Builder guide.
Key Match Stats
- The Diamondbacks have won three straight games against the Dodgers
- All nine of the teams' meetings this season have produced at least five runs
- The Dodgers lead the season series 5-4
- The Dodgers are 31-18 at home this season
- The Diamondbacks are 21-27 on the road this year
- Both teams have a 5-5 record over their last 10 games
Tactics, Form and Team News
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani is expected to play, but will have a procedure to have his left knee drained after the game, so has withdrawn from the midweek All-Star Game in order to recover.
Diamondbacks pitcher Zac Gallen was originally intended to start in this game but he is out with elbow inflammation and is expected to spend a spell on injured reserve. Canadian left-hander Mitch Bratt will start.
This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
