There are a lot of very good divisional races going on in the MLB right now, but just like last season, it is the one in the NL West that trumps the lot. In 2017, that race stayed tight all the way to the finish, with 3 teams making it into the playoffs and one of them going all the way to the World Series. Given the current state of the Wild Card race, the chances of the Diamondbacks, Rockies, and Dodgers all getting in again does not look that promising, which is why the need to win the division title is so high. The Arizona Diamondbacks and the Los Angeles Dodgers will start a 4-game series in LA on Thursday night with just a single game separating them, and with the Rockies wedged in between, a half game out of first. The division could look very different by the time Sunday night rolls around, but who will be on top and in control of their own destiny when this week comes to an end?
It has been a rollercoaster season for the LA Dodgers, who have struggled more than any of us expected them to. You can perhaps credit a World Series hangover as part of the problem for their early season struggles, but they have just not found a way to remain consistent over a long stretch of games. They may be turning that around at just the right time, though, as they come into this one having won 5 straight games.
Before we all get too carried away, it should be noted that those wins came against the Padres and the Rangers, which are teams you would expect the talent-laden Dodgers to win easily enough. Still, it’s a momentum shift that could carry over into this series, which LA really needs to win to get back on top. Rich Hill (6-4, 3.50 ERA) will start for the Dodgers.
Diamondbacks at LA Dodgers MLB Odds, Prediction & Pick
When: Thursday, August 30 at 10:10 PM EST Where: Dodgers Stadium, LA Starting Pitchers: Robbie Ray Vs Rich Hill TV: Sportsnet LA MLB Odds: LA Dodgers -1.5 (+135) / -160RECAP: @SouzaJr shines alongside @godleyzt as #DbacksWin their final encounter of the season vs. Giants: https://t.co/CYMisDfpX6 pic.twitter.com/zKULqu6nSb
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) August 30, 2018
Why bet on the Arizona Diamondbacks?
The Diamondbacks may be at the top of the division, but they are certainly not making things easy for themselves, going just 5-5 in their last 10 games. They have seen a decent lead at the top start to crumble during that run, with just a single game now separating first from third. Their road trip did not get off to a very good start, as they dropped 2 of 3 to the San Francisco Giants before heading to LA, where the pressure is sure to be even greater. Further compounding the issue is that the Rockies have a weekend series against the pretty awful Padres, which means any sort of slip up here could mean that Arizona suddenly find themselves down in 3rd in the division. The D-Backs have been good against LA this season, going 3-2 on the road and 8-4 overall. It will be Robbie Ray (3-2, 4.73 ERA) who gets the start here.Why bet on the LA Dodgers?
It has been a rollercoaster season for the LA Dodgers, who have struggled more than any of us expected them to. You can perhaps credit a World Series hangover as part of the problem for their early season struggles, but they have just not found a way to remain consistent over a long stretch of games. They may be turning that around at just the right time, though, as they come into this one having won 5 straight games.
Before we all get too carried away, it should be noted that those wins came against the Padres and the Rangers, which are teams you would expect the talent-laden Dodgers to win easily enough. Still, it’s a momentum shift that could carry over into this series, which LA really needs to win to get back on top. Rich Hill (6-4, 3.50 ERA) will start for the Dodgers.
Latest MLB Betting Trends for Diamondbacks at Dodgers
- Arizona is 17-8 ATS in the last 25 games when playing the Dodgers
- Arizona is 2-4 SU in the last 6 games
- The total went UNDER in 5 of Arizona’s last 5 games
- LA Dodgers are 4-1 ATS in the last 5 games
- LA Dodgers are 5-0 SU in the last 5 games
- The total went OVER in 4 of LA Dodgers’s last 5 games
