The NL Division Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks might end in a sweep. But who could have predicted it might be Arizona brushing aside the Dodgers in three? A win by the D’backs in their home ballpark on Wednesday evening would end the Dodgers season in the first round for a second straight season.
Here are the latest odds for the matchup across the top sports betting apps we recommend:
The Dodgers are suffering an unusual malady: terrible starting pitching. In the first two games, the Dodger starters have combined to allow nine runs in two innings. For a franchise that won titles with the brilliant arms of Sandy Koufax, Don Drysdale, Fernando Valenzuela, and Orel Hershiser, this is an embarrassing situation.
Dodgers vs Diamondbacks Series Schedule
- Game 1: Diamondbacks 6, Dodgers 4
- Game 2: Diamondbacks 6, Dodgers 4
- Game 3: Dodgers at Diamondbacks, Oct. 11, 9:07 PM ET on TBS
- Game 4*: Dodgers at Diamondbacks, Oct. 12, 9:07 PM ET on TBS
- Game 5*: Diamondbacks at Dodgers, Oct. 14, 9:27 PM ET on TBS
*If necessary.
Head-to-Head Results
The Dodgers won the regular season series against the Diamondbacks, 8 games to 5.
BetMGM Series Winner Odds: D’backs -650 | Dodgers +450
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Pitching Matchup for Game 3
Lance Lynn (13-11, 5.73 ERA) vs Brandon Pfaadt (3-9, 5.72 ERA)
When you look for trends that might indicate which of these pitchers will have an edge in Game 3, the two starts Pfaadt made against LA stand out. The Arizona righthander gave up nine runs, nine walks in 8 2/3 innings in those two starts against the Dodgers. A rookie, Pfaadt was rocked for home runs by Freddie Freeman and Jason Heyward.
Do those two poor starts mean the Dodgers lineup will pound Pfaadt on Wednesday? No. But it does mean LA’s lineup will have confidence against the green pitcher.
Lynn hasn’t pitched to live MLB batters in nearly two weeks. But when he pitched in September, the veteran righthander finished off his regular season with four starts of two earned runs or less. He no longer blows away hitters, but Lynn can coax bad contact.
Batters produced hard-hit balls only 37% of the time off Lynn after he was traded to the Dodgers this season. That’s under the league average. And considering Lynn rarely walks batters, it means he usually forces hitters to earn their way on base.
Don’t expect Lynn or Pfaadt to go past five innings, if they get that far. The Dodgers will have many arms ready to get multiple outs. If LA gets a lead, even by the fourth, you might see Dave Roberts patch together 5-6 relievers like a Rube Goldberg Machine.
Dodgers vs Diamondbacks: Best Bet & Game Pick
Your best bet for Game 3: LA Dodgers -1.5 / Under 9.5 (+390 from DraftKings) … We anticipate the mighty Dodgers will live to play at least one more game.
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