Article courtesy OddsShark (@OddsShark)
The Los Angeles Dodgers (54-34) avoided getting swept by the Miami Marlins on Thursday, and they will now try to head into the break on a positive note when they start a three-game series versus the Arizona Diamondbacks (25-64) on Friday as opening -213 home favorites on the MLB odds at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com (how sports betting works).
Los Angeles is in a bit of a conundrum from a starting pitching perspective for Friday night with Trevor Bauer still on administrative leave while Clayton Kershaw was just placed on the disabled list due to forearm inflammation. Friday’s starter remains to be determined, with manager Dave Roberts suggesting the team will use a bullpen game.
Diamondbacks vs. Dodgers | OddsShark Matchup Report
Arizona, meanwhile, is expected to send Taylor Widener (1-0, 2.63 ERA) to the mound, and he has made only one start since April 22. That came on May 23, when Widener went just 1.2 innings and allowed one unearned run before leaving with a groin injury. The good news is that he is 1-0 in four road starts with a 1.89 ERA despite that last outing, with opponents hitting .188 against him.
The last two pitching matchups should favor the Dodgers even more though, as Walker Buehler (8-1, 2.49 ERA) faces Caleb Smith (2-5, 3.45 ERA) of the Diamondbacks on Saturday before Tony Gonsolin (1-0, 2.11 ERA) closes out the first half of the season opposite Merrill Kelly (5-7, 4.60 ERA) on Sunday. Los Angeles is a combined 16-7 when Buehler and Gonsolin pitch this year.
The Dodgers have also dominated this series recently, winning the past seven meetings and 14 of the last 15 dating back to last season. The OVER has cashed at online betting sites in the previous two as well after a 3-0 UNDER run between the teams.
Los Angeles is one game behind the San Francisco Giants for first place in the National League West while Arizona is 30.5 back of the division leaders in the cellar. The Diamondbacks have dropped 28 of 29 on the road too, with four of those losses taking place at Chavez Ravine.
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