Arizona Diamondbacks served notice Monday night that the NL West title race is far from settled by beating Los Angeles Dodgers.
Behind a dominant outing from Eduardo Rodríguez and back-to-back-to-back solo shots from Tommy Troy, Nolan Arenado and Ketel Marte in the 6th, 7th, and 8th innings, the Diamondbacks dispatched the defending champions 4-1 at Chase Field, ending a seven-game Los Angeles winning streak emphatically.
However, tonight's pitching matchup looks nothing like what we saw in Game 1.
Emmet Sheehan, who was sharp despite the loss, gives way to Eric Lauer, a 30-year-old lefty the Dodgers picked up from Toronto roughly two weeks ago off a designation for assignment. It will be just his second appearance in Dodger blue.
Waiting for him on the other side is Mike Soroka, the unassuming right-hander who has quietly become one of the most reliable starters in the National League.
First pitch is scheduled for 9:40 p.m. ET and here are our picks for Dodgers vs. Diamondbacks tonight.
Dodgers vs. Diamondbacks betting picks and predictions
Diamondbacks money line @ +105
The starting pitching advantage is obvious, but there's more fueling this Arizona lean than just the mound matchup.
Lauer has been a problem all year long. His time in Toronto produced a 1-5 record, a 6.69 ERA and an AL-leading 11 home runs surrendered in just eight outings before the Blue Jays pulled the plug.
Folding his numbers together with his two Dodger appearances brings his combined 2026 line to a 2-5 record and 5.95 ERA over 42.1 innings.
His debut in Los Angeles, limiting Colorado to one run over six frames, provided a thin silver lining, but the Rockies are hardly a vital sign of a pitcher's health.
Facing a live Arizona lineup that just dropped four runs on one of the better Dodger starters is an entirely different proposition.
Soroka, meanwhile, has given the Arizona rotation exactly what it was missing.
The 28-year-old has gone 7-2 with a 3.25 ERA across 61 innings this season and the stuff that earned him a 2019 All-Star nod and Cy Young consideration looks like it has genuinely returned.
He's been stingier with the long ball than almost anyone in the league; surrendering just four home runs in 61 innings is elite. He pounds the strike zone, doesn't issue unnecessary walks and routinely keeps his pitch counts manageable.
Monday's result adds further texture. Los Angeles rolled into Phoenix on one of its hottest runs of the season; seven straight wins, a 56-21 run-scoring margin, a .317 team batting average over the prior five games and got completely shut down.
One run, three home runs allowed, and a bullpen that held serve the rest of the way.
A Dodger offense that looked unstoppable is suddenly searching for answers and they will attempt to recalibrate against a pitcher enjoying the finest stretch of his career.
With Arizona posting a 19-10 record at Chase Field and delivering consistent value as a home underdog, the plus money is worth taking here.
Ketel Marte to hit a home run @ +325
Marte connected for a solo shot in the series opener and the conditions Tuesday set up nicely for him to do it again.
Lauer relies heavily on a fastball-cutter mix that hitters have had little trouble squaring up all season; his 1.39 WHIP tells the story of a pitcher who frequently works from behind in the count and leaves pitches over the middle of the plate.
Marte, a three-time All-Star hitting .262 on the year, has been one of the hottest bats in the NL over the past two weeks and remains Arizona's most dangerous presence in the heart of the order against right-handed pitching.
The left-handed Marte is precisely the type of hitter Lauer has struggled against throughout his career and especially this season.
He is 8-21 all-time against Lauer and has two home runs. Getting over 3-1 value on a hitter this hot against a pitcher this vulnerable is the best number on the board.
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Dodgers vs. Diamondbacks odds
Los Angeles Dodgers | -125 |
Arizona Diamondbacks | +105 |
Run Line | LA Dodgers -1.5 |
Total Runs | O/U 9.5 |
Dodgers vs. Diamondbacks player props
Player home run odds
Shohei Ohtani (LA Dodgers) | +280 |
Ketel Marte (AZ Diamondbacks) | +325 |
Andy Pages (LA Dodgers) | +375 |
Nolan Arenado (AZ Diamondbacks) | +400 |
Corbin Carroll (AZ Diamondbacks) | +450 |
Freddie Freeman (LA Dodgers) | +475 |
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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.
