Brett Anderson (1-1, 5.49 ERA) and Jeremy Hellickson (1-3, 5.24 ERA) start in the second of a three-game series between the Los Angeles Dodgers (14-8) and the Arizona Diamondbacks (10-12) at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers won the last game 8-0 and Los Angeles leads the series 1-0. Action begins at 9:10 p.m. ET on Saturday, May. 2 and can be seen on FSN-AZ, SportsNet LA and MLB.
Anderson pitched 4.2 innings in his last outing, surrendering three runs, striking out three and walking two in an 8-3 defeat to the Giants. Andre Ethier (.327, 12 Rs, 4 HRs, 9 RBIs) kept up his hot start yesterday, going 2 for 3 with two runs, one home run, and one RBI. When pitching against the Dodgers, Hellickson is 0-1 with a 12.00 ERA, 2.33 WHIP, and two strikeouts. Paul Goldschmidt (.346, 18 Rs, 5 HRs, 20 RBIs, 5 SBs) has been successful at the plate for the Diamondbacks, going 2 for 4 yesterday.
Los Angeles is a -148 favorite against Arizona and the Over/Under (O/U) for this game is sitting at seven runs. The Dodgers have recorded an overall money line of +198 and have shown high-level performance as a favorite this season with a record of 12-7. Los Angeles has had an impressive season against division opponents, earning 10-7 and 10-8 records as the favorite and SU respectively. The Dodgers have no trouble scoring as they lead the NL in offense with 4.8 runs per game. The Dodgers are one of the best in the NL in terms of hits with a phenomenal 8.9 per game. Los Angeles’s batters do not strike out very often, with only 7.0 per game. Crossing over to the pitching staff, opponents have consistently been struck out by the Dodgers, who lead the NL in strikeouts per game with 9.6.
In games where it is the underdog, Arizona has a 6-8 record and an overall money line of +50. They played poorly as the underdog over their last 10 games with a 1-4 record, and a 4-6 record SU. Offensively, the Diamondbacks have really picked up the pace in division games. They have exceeded their season average of 4.6 runs per game by averaging 5.3 in those contests.
The Dodgers have a great 9-1 record at home (12-6 overall) against right-handed starting pitchers, which is what they’ll be facing when Hellickson takes the mound. Anderson (RHP) will be on the hill against the Diamondbacks, who have a 7-8 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – LAD, O/U – Over
Notes
After last game’s shutout win against the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Dodgers now have three shutouts this season. The Diamondbacks have been shut out in two games this season.
When the Diamondbacks play into extra innings, they have a 2-0 record. The Dodgers are 1-2 when their games exceed nine innings.
Having scored zero runs in their last game, the Diamondbacks are going to have to up their game if they want to win this matchup. The Dodgers have a 3-0 record in games where opponents scored that many runs.
When they outhit their opponents, the Diamondbacks are 6-1. The Dodgers have a 13-2 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 15th in runs, Arizona has earned 96 this season. Los Angeles ranks ninth with 108 runs.
Ranking 17th, Arizona is in the bottom half of the league in walks, notching 67 this season. Los Angeles ranks in the top five at fifth with 84.
The Dodgers are 12-5 in games where they hit one or more home runs. The Diamondbacks are 8-2 when they hit at least one homer.
