Can Arizona Defy the NLDS Game 2 Odds and beat the Dodgers?

Can Arizona Defy the NLDS Game 2 Odds and Beat the Dodgers?

Written by on October 6, 2017

The Arizona Diamondbacks got past the Colorado Rockies in their thrilling 11-8 wild-card win on Wednesday night to set up their Divisional Series matchup against their longtime National League West rivals Los Angeles Dodgers, a team who secures a 9-5 win in Game 1 with a solid performance and once again have the NLDS Game 2 Odds by their side. If you want to know which NL West World Series hopeful is the better pick for the second game of their NLDS matchup, then you’re going to need some expert baseball betting insight. Thankfully, that’s where we come in. Now, let’s get down to business.

Diamondbacks at  Dodgers NLDS Game 2 Odds & Expert Pick

  • When: Saturday, October 7, 9:00 PM ET
  • Where: Dodger Stadium
  • TV: TBS
  • Radio: 98.7 FM, KHOV 105.1, 570 LA Sports, ESPN Radio
  • Live Stream: MLB.tv
  • NLDS Game 2 Odds: Los Angeles Dodgers -140 (Over/Under at 8)

Weather Forecast

  • Clear: 22°C/71°F
  • Humidity: 54%
  • Precipitation: 0%
  • Cloud Cover: 0%
  • Wind: 2 mph SW
  • Stadium Type: Open

MLB – 2017 NATIONAL LEAGUE PENNANT ODDS TO WIN

Head to Head Statistics (Last 10 Games)

  • Runs: Arizona Diamondbacks 5.80 / Los Angeles Dodgers 3.20
  • Hits: Arizona Diamondbacks 8.90 / Los Angeles Dodgers 6.50
  • Walks: Arizona Diamondbacks 3 / Los Angeles Dodgers 3.60
  • Strikeouts: Arizona Diamondbacks 9.60 / Los Angeles Dodgers 10
  • Over/Under: Arizona Diamondbacks 6-4 / Los Angeles Dodgers 6-4

Probable Pitchers

Arizona Diamondbacks – Robbie Ray (15-5)

Left-hander Robbie Ray (2.89 ERA, 218 K) was forced to toss 2.1 innings against Colorado on Wednesday while giving up one earned run on two hits while striking out three. Ray has been outstanding this season in recording the second highest strikeout ratio in all baseball, behind only Boston’s Chris Sale. Prior to his wild-card outing, Ray limited seven of his last nine opponents to just one earned run or less while tossing at least 5.0 innings six times and recording double-digit strikeouts in four straight starts.

Los Angeles Dodgers – Rich Hill – L – (12-8)

Veteran left-hander Rich Hill will make the fifth postseason start of his career on Saturday in Game 2. The good news for the Dodgers is that Hills was rock-solid when pitching at home (2.77 ERA) as opposed to being on the road (4.06) this season.

Why Bet the Diamondbacks?

Some bad news for the D-Backs, Robbie Ray pitched in Arizona’s wild-card win over Colorado and likely won’t be his ‘normal’ self in this matchup. Ray tossed 41 pitches in a 2.1 inning relief appearance. Making the Game 2 start even more important is the fact that Ray will likely star in game 5 as well. The good news for Arizona is that Ray has basically dominated the Dodgers this season. In five starts against L.A. Ray has gone 3-0 with a 2.27 ERA while striking out 53 batters in 31.2 innings. Ray led the NL with an average of 12.1 strikeouts per nine innings. The Diamondbacks don't pay attention to the NLDS Game Odds, they just want to win. “We haven’t cracked the code on Robbie Ray,” Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts told reporters in Los Angeles this week. “If we do see him, we’re going to have our hands full… He’s been tough on us.” Arizona finished the regular season ranked eighth in scoring (5.01 RPG), 17th in team batting average (.254), seventh in OPS (.774) and 12th in home runs (220). Defensively, the D-Backs were even better in finishing third in team ERA (3.67), seventh in WHIP (1.27), sixth in strikeouts (1,482) and fourth in quality starts (82). “I just think we have guys [who are] not intimidated,” Lovullo said Wednesday. “Look, the Dodgers got on a tremendous run there, and I think they were steamrolling teams and intimidating teams, and I don’t think we have that mentality. We love that battle mindset. We love that challenge.”

Why Bet the Dodgers?

You may not know it, but while the Dodgers won 104 games and finished with the best record in baseball, the Arizona Diamondbacks won 11 of the 19 meetings between the NL West rivals this season, including victories in each of the last six meetings between the two while outscoring L.A. 40-13 in their final two series matchups. But the postseason is where it counts, and the Dodgers won Game 1.

Dodgers finished the regular season ranked 12th in scoring (4.75 RPG), an uninspiring 22nd in team batting average (.249), eighth in OPS (.771) and 11th in home runs (221). However, when it comes to defense, the Dodgers finished second in team ERA (3.38), first in WHIP (1.15), fifth in strikeouts (1,549) and 17th in quality starts (68).

Latest NLDS Game 2 Odds Trends

  • Diamondbacks are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games when playing LA Dodgers
  • Diamondbacks are 2-6 SU in their last 8 games on the road
  • The total has gone OVER in 8 of Arizona’s last 12 games
  • Dodgers are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games
  • Dodgers are 7-1 SU in their last 8 games
  • The total has gone OVER in 4 of LA Dodgers’s last 5 games at home

Expert NLDS Game 2 Odds Analysis & Score Prediction

Despite their confidence, I don’t see Arizona winning Game 2 – or this NLDS series for that matter. Rich Hill is going to limit the D-Backs to three runs at best while the Dodgers finally solve the Robbie Ray mystery to get the solid home win in Game 2. Arizona is just 2-5 in their last seven road games heading into Game 1 and 1-5 in their L/6 divisional playoff road dates. Conversely, the Dodgers are 10-3 in their last 13 home games against a team with a winning road record, 47-18 in their last 65 home games and a perfect 8-0 in Rich Hill’s last eight home starts! Simple and plain, the Dodgers hold it down at home in this one! Score & Pick: Arizona Diamondbacks 3 – Los Angeles Dodgers 5