The Los Angeles Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks are set to clash under the desert sky on Friday night, kicking off a pivotal three-game series that could reshape the National League West Division race. Throughout the season, the Dodgers have been considered the frontrunners for the division title, maintaining a significant lead. However, recent impressive performances from both the Diamondbacks and Padres have intensified the competition as the postseason approaches. This highly anticipated matchup will showcase veteran Dodgers lefty Clayton Kershaw (2-2, 3.72) against Arizona’s standout pitcher Zac Gallen (10-6, 3.65). The game is scheduled to begin at 9:40 pm EST.
Dodgers Lean on Kershaw’s Experience
The Los Angeles Dodgers entered this season with high expectations, aiming for a deep playoff run and a potential World Series title. While that goal remains within reach, the recent surge of both the Padres and Diamondbacks has narrowed their margin for error in the NL West Division. The Dodgers managed to win three of their first five games during their recent six-game homestand before heading to Arizona. They took two out of three from the Tampa Bay Rays and split two games against the Baltimore Orioles. In their latest outing, Teoscar Hernandez and Shohei Ohtani each hit home runs, leading the Dodgers to a 6-4 victory, which evened the series against the Orioles.
*This article was crafted prior to the completion of Thursday night’s game.
The Dodgers travel to Arizona looking to solidify their division lead as they enter the season’s final stretch. Clayton Kershaw, a seasoned left-handed pitcher, is expected to start for Los Angeles. After a lengthy stint on the injured list, Kershaw has returned to the mound, holding a record of 2-2 with a 3.72 ERA and a WHIP of 1.41 over six starts, including one quality outing. He has surrendered 33 hits in 29 innings, with eight walks and 24 strikeouts to his name. Remarkably, Kershaw has allowed only one home run this season. In his most recent appearance, he pitched five innings, yielding nine hits and five runs while striking out five, contributing to a 9-8 loss for the Dodgers against the Rays in extra innings.
Injury Report: Catcher Austin Barnes, pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and relief pitchers Brusdar Graterol and Connor Brogdon are sidelined.
Gallen Aims to Propel Diamondbacks Forward
The Arizona Diamondbacks are hitting their stride at a crucial moment as they seek to defend their National League Championship title and make another World Series appearance. Last year, they made a surprise run as a wildcard team, but this season, they have a legitimate shot at capturing the division title as they host the Dodgers. The Diamondbacks are in the midst of a homestand that began with a series against the New York Mets. After splitting the first two games, they faced the Mets again on Thursday, ultimately falling 3-2, with Randal Grichuk providing the only runs with a two-run homer in the defeat.
The Diamondbacks are poised for an exciting opener with their ace, Zac Gallen, taking the mound. Gallen comes into this matchup with a 10-6 record across 22 starts, including 10 quality outings. His current ERA stands at 3.65, and his WHIP is 1.30. He has allowed 110 hits in 116 innings, striking out 111 batters while walking 41 and giving up just eight home runs throughout the season. In his last performance, Gallen showcased his skills against the Red Sox in Boston, pitching six innings with only two hits and no runs while striking out nine. Historically, Gallen has faced the Dodgers five times, with a record of 1-4 and a 3.74 ERA against them.
Injury Report: First baseman Christian Walker, relief pitcher Bryce Jarvis, second baseman Ketel Marte, catcher Gabriel Moreno, and relief pitcher Drey Jameson are unavailable.
Smart Bets for Dodgers vs. Diamondbacks Showdown
The Dodgers will head to Arizona with hopes of extending their lead in the NL West, but they face a challenging opener against Zac Gallen. Gallen has been on a roll lately, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure, as evidenced by his impressive outing against the Red Sox. The Diamondbacks have secured victories in four of his last five starts, demonstrating his capability to keep opposing teams at bay. Despite pitching in hitter-friendly environments, Gallen has only allowed eight home runs this season, which bodes well against the power-packed Dodgers lineup. Meanwhile, Kershaw continues to regain his form, but recent performances indicate he may be more vulnerable than expected. His strikeout rate is decent, yet the Dodgers have only managed to win two of his last five starts. Historically, the Diamondbacks have fared well against the Dodgers this season, winning five of their nine matchups thus far. They are likely to maintain this momentum at home.
